Del. Lawmakers, PJM Execs. meet to discuss power bill spikes

DOVER, Del. – PJM executives sat before Delaware lawmakers, Monday, laying out some of the shortcomings in the First State’s energy supply, which could be driving up bill cost.

They cited power plant retirement and increased usage as being some of the main factors. Senator Brian Pettyjohn said it’s time to consider policy, and find efficient ways to light, heat and cool Delaware homes.

“If you’re at an equilibrium with the generating capacity and the supply, it’s going to be even. But, as we’re seeing, the usage is outpacing what we can generate right now, so we’re going to see cost increase,” said Sen. Pettyjohn.

Over the MLK Day holiday weekend, PJM saw record high usage, attributed to the colder temps Delmarva experienced. Sen. Pettyjohn said as people’s bills start to roll in, they’re working to find solutions to level out cost, as the energy giant braces for a wave of skyrocketing usage this year.

“We want to make sure that– especially in the really cold days when people are really using a lot of electricity, or the really hot days during the summertime, when we turn the lights on or when they turn the heat on or when they turn the air conditioning on– that they have the power there,” said Sen. Pettyjohn

And while the city of Dover hasn’t been as hard hit by spikes because of its enterprise funds, Mayor Robin R. Christiansen said relief needs to come soon for neighboring jurisdictions.

“I hope that there’s a solution for the people that live outside of our electric territory,” said Mayor Christiansen.