Secretary of State Jeff Bullock on Thursday announced that Andrew (Drew) Slater will depart from his role as Delaware Public Advocate on Friday, February 17, 2023, and will assume a new role as Executive Director of the Sustainable Energy Utility, Inc., also known as Energize Delaware. Ruth Ann Price, who has served as Deputy Public Advocate, will become Acting Public Advocate until a candidate is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Delaware State Senate.

“Drew’s knowledge and steadfast commitment to ensuring that Delawareans have the lowest reasonable utility rates will be sorely missed,” said Secretary Bullock. “In my years in state government, no one has been a more vocal advocate for consumers. Drew will have a great opportunity to promote clean and affordable energy in his new role, and I wish him well.”

The Division of the Public Advocate advocates for the lowest reasonable rates, principally on behalf of residential and small commercial consumers, consistent with the maintenance of adequate utility service and consistent with an equitable distribution of rates among all classes of consumers.

“I am excited for the opportunity to be the Executive Director of Energize Delaware,” said Andrew Slater, Delaware Public Advocate. “Our team at the Division continues to be responsive to Delawareans’ needs, which is evidenced through what we have accomplished over the past six years.”

As the Public Advocate, Slater advocated for regulated utility consumers in utility rate cases, the Artificial Island project cost allocation, several legislative initiatives such as increasing the RPS and Community Solar, Utility Distribution Planning, reducing utility rates as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and many other initiatives.

Slater was appointed Delaware’s Public Advocate by Governor Carney and confirmed by the Senate on January 25, 2017, and reappointed and confirmed in 2021. During his tenure, Slater served as the Vice President of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA)—the highest rank obtained for any Delaware Public Advocate thus far. He has also served on a number of boards including, the GTI Public Interest Advisory Committee, the Sustainable Energy Utility (Energize Delaware), the Renewable Energy Task Force, the National Association of Regulated Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Subcommittee on COVID-19, the Biggs Museum of the American Art, and others.

Prior to his role as the Public Advocate, Slater was then-Congressman Carney’s Kent/Sussex Coordinator. He began his career in public service nearly 20 years ago as an intern for then-U.S. Senator Joe Biden on the Foreign Relations Committee and spent 10 years working for the Delaware State Senate.

Slater is a graduate of Washington College and received a master’s degree from Wilmington University in 2011. He lives in Camden with his wife Laura, and two children.

Aumento de tarifa es uno de los más grandes solicitados por la empresa

El 15 de diciembre de 2022, Delmarva Power presentó una solicitud ante la Comisión de Servicios Públicos para aumentar sus tarifas de distribución eléctrica en $72,3 millones. De conformidad con la ley estatal, este aumento entrará en vigencia de manera temporal el 15 de julio de 2023, sujeto a reembolso, en espera de una decisión final de la Comisión de Servicio Público.

La solicitud de Delmarva Power de un aumento en las tarifas de distribución eléctrica se produce inmediatamente después de un aumento de $16,7 millones aprobado por la Comisión de Servicios Públicos el 5 de agosto de 2021.

Si se aprueba, los clientes residenciales y de calefacción eléctrica residencial de Delmarva Power experimentarán un aumento adicional de 8.35 por ciento y 13.2 por ciento, respectivamente, en sus cargos de distribución eléctrica. Un cliente residencial típico de calefacción que no sea de espacio que use 844 kWh por mes vería un aumento adicional de $10.41 por mes en su factura total, y un cliente residencial de calefacción de espacio vería un aumento adicional de más de $11 por mes en su factura total.

“Mientras los clientes luchan por pagar las facturas, Delmarva Power busca uno de los mayores aumentos en las tarifas de distribución eléctrica que jamás hayamos visto”, dijo Andrew Slater, Defensor Público de Delaware. “En pocas palabras, la confiabilidad es extremadamente importante, pero también lo es la asequibilidad. Ningún cliente debería tener que elegir entre pagar su servicio público o pagar otras necesidades esenciales. Ya es hora de que los costos se controlen tal como muchos de sus clientes están tratando de hacer”.

Este aumento solicitado en la tarifa de distribución de aproximadamente el 25 por ciento sigue a un aumento de casi el 60 por ciento en las tarifas de suministro de gas natural en los últimos dos años.

La confiabilidad de Delmarva Power se encuentra en el primer cuartil de todas las empresas de servicios públicos de EE. UU. en cuanto a confiabilidad. Aun así, Delmarva Power tiene la intención de gastar $ 430 millones en la planta durante los próximos tres años. Esto representa un aumento del 155 % con respecto al gasto de planta de Delmarva en 2019.

La Comisión de Servicio Público llevará a cabo una sesión de comentarios públicos una vez que se establezca un calendario de procedimientos. Los comentarios escritos pueden enviarse por correo a la Comisión de Servicios Públicos de Delaware, Expediente No. 22-0897, 861 Silver Lake Boulevard, Suite 100, Dover, DE 19904, o por correo electrónico a psc@delaware.gov, Attn: Expediente No. 22-0897.

Los habitantes de Delaware pueden ponerse en contacto con Energize Delaware acerca de sus programas Home Performance with Energy Star y Home Energy Counseling and Check-Up. Estos programas podrían potencialmente producir ahorros de energía. Los consumidores pueden obtener más información en: https://www.energizedelaware.org/.

Los programas adicionales, como la climatización y el Programa de Asistencia de Energía para Hogares de Bajos Ingresos (LIHEAP, por sus siglas en inglés) pueden ayudar a los clientes a ahorrar en costos de energía. Los clientes pueden revisar los requisitos de elegibilidad para ambos programas llamando al 302-504-6111 para el Programa de Asistencia de Climatización y llamando a Caridades Católicas para asistencia LIHEAP al 302-654-9295 (Condado de New Castle), 302-674-1782 (Condado de Kent), o 302-856-6310 (Condado de Sussex).

El papel del Defensor Público de Delaware es abogar por las tarifas razonables más bajas para los consumidores de servicios públicos residenciales y comerciales pequeños, en consonancia con una distribución justa de tarifas y manteniendo un servicio de servicios confiable. Para obtener más información sobre la División del Defensor Público, haga clic aquí.

Rate increase is one of the largest requested by the utility

On December 15, 2022, Delmarva Power filed an application with the Public Service Commission to increase its electric distribution rates by $72.3 million. Pursuant to state law, this increase will become effective on a temporary basis on July 15, 2023, subject to refund, pending a final decision by the Public Service Commission.

Delmarva Power’s request for an increase in electric distribution rates comes on the heels of a $16.7 million increase approved by the Public Service Commission on August 5, 2021.

If approved as requested, Delmarva Power residential and residential electric space heating customers will experience an additional increase of 8.35 percent and 13.2 percent, respectively, in their electric distribution charges. A typical residential non-space heating customer using 844 kWh per month would see an additional increase of $10.41 per month to their total bill, and a residential space heating customer would see an additional increase of more than an $11 per month to their total bill.

“As customers are struggling to pay bills, Delmarva Power is seeking one of the largest electric distribution rate increases we have ever seen,” said Delaware Public Advocate Andrew Slater. “Simply put, reliability is extremely important but so, too, is affordability. No customer should have to choose between paying for their utility service or paying for other essential needs. It’s long past time costs are reined in just as many of their customers are trying to do.”

This requested distribution rate increase of roughly 25 percent follows a near 60 percent increase in natural gas supply rates over the past two years.

Delmarva Power’s reliability is in the first quartile of all U.S. utilities for reliability. Even so, Delmarva Power intends to spend $430 million on plant over the next three years. This represents an increase of 155% over Delmarva’s 2019 plant spending.

The Public Service Commission will hold a public comment session once a procedural schedule is established. Written comments may be sent by mail to Delaware Public Service Commission, Docket No. 22-0897, 861 Silver Lake Boulevard, Suite 100, Dover, DE 19904, or by e-mail to psc@delaware.gov, Attn: Docket No. 22-0897.

Delawareans can contact Energize Delaware about its Home Performance with Energy Star, and Home Energy Counseling and Check-Up programs. These programs could potentially produce energy savings. Consumers may learn more at: https://www.energizedelaware.org/.

Additional programs, such as weatherization and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) may be able to help customers save on energy costs. Customers can review eligibility requirements for both programs by calling 302-504-6111 for the Weatherization Assistance Program and by calling Catholic Charities for LIHEAP assistance at 302-654-9295 (New Castle County), 302-674-1782 (Kent County), or 302-856-6310 (Sussex County).

The role of the Delaware Public Advocate is to advocate for the lowest reasonable rates for residential and small commercial utility consumers, consistent with a fair distribution of rates and maintaining reliable utility service. To learn more about the Division of the Public Advocate, click here.

Dover, Del.—Natural gas prices have continued to increase this year and are up nearly 60 percent year to date. This is largely due to increased U.S. demand and the ongoing energy crisis in Europe.

According to the Energy Information Administration, about 42 percent of Delaware households rely on natural gas for home heating.

“Due to the increase in wholesale natural gas prices, customers will see a significant increase in their bills during the winter months,” said Delaware Public Advocate Andrew Slater. “However, there are ways to reduce your usage and keep utility bills reasonable. Energy utility bills are some of the only bills where the amount owed is dependent on usage.”

Delmarva Power recently filed changes to its Gas Cost Rate (GCR), PSC Docket No. 22-0726, reflecting an increase in costs for residential customers of more than 48 percent. According to its filing, a typical residential customer using 83 CCF in a winter month would see an increase of more than $25. These rates become effective November 1, 2022, subject to refund, while the rates are reviewed by both the Division of the Public Advocate and Public Service Commission Staff.

“Many energy conservation ideas are inexpensive and easy to implement. A few small steps can make a big difference in monthly bills. In addition to helping customers save money, energy conservation is also good for the environment,” said PSC Executive Director Matt Hartigan.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating accounts for the biggest portion of consumers’ utility bills. Savings tips include turning your thermostat down a few degrees, replacing dirty furnace filters, weather stripping doors and windows, opening shades on sunny days, and closing vents and doors of unoccupied areas.

Delawareans can contact Energize Delaware about its Home Performance with Energy Star, Home Energy Counseling and Check-Up programs. These programs are designed to find areas that may need weatherization and could potentially produce savings.

For additional tips on lowering your gas bill, please contact your local utility. Delmarva Power provides such tips at https://www.delmarva.com/Documents/Ways%20to%20Save%20Delmarva_2.20_ADAcomp.pdf. Chesapeake Utilities provides such tips at https://chpkgas.com/energy-efficiency/energy-efficiency-tips/.

Additionally, low-income Delawareans who are in need of financial assistance to meet their home energy costs may be eligible for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a program administered jointly by the Delaware Division of State Service Centers (DSCC) and Catholic Charities, Inc. Beginning October 1^st through March 31^st, eligible households can apply to receive grants to help pay for fuel assistance for home heating, which includes electricity, natural gas, kerosene, propane, coal, or wood. Grants are made to both homeowners and renters.

There is also crisis assistance funding available to help households in crisis during the winter months. Income eligibility for LIHEAP is defined as 200% of the federal poverty level. For more information on LIHEAP or to apply, click here.

If you been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Delaware Housing Assistance Program (DEHAP) may be able to assist you with Utility Bill Relief Funding available for utility and fuel bill payments. Potential clients should contact the Delaware State Housing Authority for more information once the program reopens in October.

The Division of the Public Advocate advocates for the lowest reasonable rates, principally on behalf of residential and small commercial consumers, consistent with the maintenance of adequate utility service and consistent with an equitable distribution of rates among all classes of consumers. 

The Delaware Public Service Commission was established to provide oversight of investor-owned public utilities in the State of Delaware. The Commission works to ensure safe, reliable, and reasonably priced electric, natural gas, water, and wastewater services. The Commission also has limited regulatory authority over telephone and cable television rates and services.