Bill looks to lower Delaware’s Renewable Portfolio Standard

DELAWARE – A bill that would lower Delaware’s Renewable Portfolio Standard has been introduced in the state’s House.

House Bill 80 was introduced after Delmarva Power was unable to purchase enough Renewable Energy Credits to comply with Delaware’s Renewable Portfolio Standard.

According to State Senator Eric Buckson, as a result, Delmarva Power and their ratepayers have paid a $26 million Alternative Compliance Price over the past two years.

To combat the mandate, House Bill 80 would lower the Renewable Portfolio Standard from 25% down to 10% and would fix that number for the next 10 years.

Sen. Buckson said without legislative action, the Renewable Portfolio Standard will increase annually until it reaches 40% in 2035.

“In the last few months, Delawareans have been dealing with very high electricity prices and we believe one of those reasons has to do with, it’s not the only reason, it’s one of the reasons, has to do with this type of legislation which mandates and forces our energy providers into a space at a pace faster than they can keep up with and faster than technology or industry can keep up with,” said Sen. Buckson.

Lawmakers hope the bill will provide sufficient time for renewable generation capacity to catch up with demand.

After the 10-year period expires, the Renewable Portfolio Standard percentage will resume scheduled annual increases.

“It doesn’t say that we don’t believe that green energy is not important or should not be a part of the process for providing energy to constituents throughout Delmarva, but it does say the mandate such as this one creates hardship,” said Buckson.

The bill has been tabled by the House Committee because there were some questions raised about whether this bill would have a negative impact going forward.

The bill will be discussed in the House in the coming weeks.