Delaware Division of the Public Advocate

06/17/2026

Thank you to Sen. Stephanie Hansen for her leadership in championing SB 326 and to every Senator who voted yes to put Delaware consumers first. This legislation strengthens oversight, improves transparency, and helps ensure customers are protected from paying for unnecessary utility spending. We appreciate the bipartisan support for common-sense reforms that promote accountability and affordability for Delaware ratepayers.

In a 20-1 vote following hours of floor debate, the Senate advanced legislation Tuesday evening to hold public utilities accountable by preventing them from passing on the costs of non-mandatory capital investments to Delawareans.

Because utilities operate as monopolies with guaranteed cost recovery from ratepayers, stronger accountability and transparency measures are necessary to ensure customers are paying only reasonable and justified costs. That's what Senator Hansen's Senate Bill 326 seeks to address.

This bill strengthens oversight of regulated utilities, improves transparency for customers, streamlines aspects of the rate-setting process, and addresses affordability concerns — particularly for Delmarva Power customers.

SB 326 heads to the House Natural Resources & Energy Committee for consideration.

06/17/2026

Stay tuned over the next several days for Summer Energy Savings Tips brought to you by The Delaware Public Service Commission and the Delaware Division of the Public Advocate.

Cooking with a conventional oven can add unwanted heat to your house, forcing your A/C to work harder. Do more of your cooking with a microwave or slow cooker to keep the kitchen cool.

Better yet, use the summer heat as an excuse to fire up the old backyard barbecue. Outdoor grilling is a summertime tradition for a reason; you can cook delicious meats and veggies while keeping the heat outside.

06/12/2026

🤔 Not sure who to contact about a utility issue? We're here to help point you in the right direction.

The Delaware Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Delaware Division of the Public Advocate (DPA) work together as part of Delaware's utility regulatory system—but we have different roles.

🔹 Contact your utility company first if you:
• Have a question about your bill
• Need to report an outage
• Need to start, stop, or transfer service
• Want to set up a payment arrangement

🔹 Contact the Delaware Division of the Public Advocate (DPA) if:
• You have a billing or service complaint that was not resolved by your utility
• You need assistance navigating a utility issue
• You are looking for information about utility assistance programs
• You want an advocate to help address a consumer concern

📞 DPA: (302) 241-2555
📞 Toll-Free: 1-888-607-2427
📧 [email protected]

🔹 Contact the Delaware Public Service Commission (PSC) if you want to:
• Learn about utility regulation in Delaware
• Follow utility rate cases and regulatory proceedings
• Participate in public hearings
• Submit comments on matters before the Commission
• Learn how utility decisions are made

The PSC serves as a neutral regulator, reviewing evidence, hearing from interested parties, and making decisions based on Delaware law and the public record. The DPA serves as an advocate for utility consumers. Different roles, one shared goal: helping ensure Delaware residents receive safe, reliable utility service through a fair and transparent process.

Have questions about utility regulation? Follow our page as we share answers to common questions and explain how Delaware's utility regulatory system works.

Call now to connect with business.

06/11/2026

Stay tuned over the next several days for Summer Energy Savings Tips brought to you by The Delaware Public Service Commission and the Delaware Division of the Public Advocate.

This keeps out the greenhouse effect of the sun. Southern- and western-facing walls take the brunt of the sun’s heat, so invest in good drapes or shades for the windows on these walls and keep them closed.

North-facing windows admit relatively even, natural light, producing little glare and almost no unwanted summer heat gain. You can leave these shades open to admit natural light into your house without heating things up.

06/09/2026

Thank you to Spotlight Delaware for the oppotunity to comment on HB 233 and HB 445.

"Public Advocate Jameson Tweedie, who is responsible for representing the public in state decisions about energy policy, said he supports both bills because they could help address the potential energy supply/demand imbalance that could drastically raise electricity prices.

“The risks to ratepayers are dramatic if we don’t have enough generation capacity for the new enormous [energy] users,” he said."

Delaware legislators are scrambling to address concerns about data centers raising residents’ energy bills before the legislative session ends.

06/05/2026

At a press conference on Friday, May 22, Jameson Tweedie, the director of the Delaware Division of the Public Advocate — responsible for guiding state energy policy and protecting ratepayers — noted that his office, the Delaware Public Service Commission and the state's Energy Office conducted two studies to see the impact these power demands would have not just on the region but on Delaware specifically.

One looked at reliability risks due to the rapid development of data centers, while the other looked at potential cost implications, Tweedie said.

“That is the study that said — based on current projections and assuming that the power generation that PJM contemplates will be built does get built — what are the implications?” he continued. “This is not a prediction, but it is a warning that, if we don’t get the policy right, there could be an 82% increase (for every Delaware ratepayer) in wholesale electric costs."

He added that data centers are “transforming the energy sector in a way that nothing has for decades, at least.”

Read the full release here:

In just the first three months of the year, power prices have surged 76% across the PJM Interconnection, due to demands from data centers.

06/04/2026

📣 New on Our Website: Legislative Positions

We’ve created a new Legislative Positions page where Delaware consumers can view DPA’s positions on legislation impacting utility rates, consumer protections, energy policy, and public utility regulation during the 153rd General Assembly. Visit the page to learn more and stay up to date throughout the legislative session.

🔎: https://publicadvocate.delaware.gov/legislative-positions/

06/03/2026

⚡ Reminder: Delmarva Power SOS Rates Increased June 1

As of June 1, Delmarva Power customers on Standard Offer Service (SOS) are paying higher electricity supply rates. Delmarva estimates the change will increase the average residential electric bill by about 9%, or roughly $15 per month, with even greater impacts during the high-usage summer months.

While the Division of the Public Advocate continues working to protect consumers from rising utility costs, there are steps customers can take now to help manage their bills:

✅ Set your thermostat a few degrees higher when you're away
✅ Replace HVAC filters regularly
✅ Use ceiling fans to improve comfort and reduce AC use
✅ Run dishwashers and laundry only with full loads
✅ Seal air leaks around doors and windows
✅ Turn off lights and electronics when not in use

Need help paying your bill or making your home more energy efficient? Assistance programs, weatherization services, and other resources may be available through Energize Delaware.

The Division of the Public Advocate remains committed to advocating for affordable utility service and protecting Delaware ratepayers from unnecessary costs.

06/03/2026

Delaware ratepayers need relief. SB 326 is a major step toward greater accountability, stronger consumer protections, and more affordable utility bills. Make your voice heard—contact your legislators today.

Find Your Legislator🔎https://legis.delaware.gov/FindMyLegislator
Read The Bill 📃https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=143336

SB 326 would:
✅ Limit how much non-mandatory utility spending can be passed on to customers
✅ Increase oversight and transparency of regulated utilities
✅ Reform interim rate increases before final approval by the Public Service Commission
✅ Require independent management audits of electric utilities
✅ Improve transparency in utility bills and rate cases
✅ Help ensure Delawareans pay only just and reasonable rates

06/01/2026

The Delaware Division of the Public Advocate supports SB 326, legislation designed to strengthen consumer protections and help control future electric rate increases.

SB 326 would:
✅ Limit how much non-mandatory utility spending can be passed on to customers
✅ Increase oversight and transparency of regulated utilities
✅ Reform interim rate increases before final approval by the Public Service Commission
✅ Require independent management audits of electric utilities
✅ Improve transparency in utility bills and rate cases
✅ Help ensure Delawareans pay only just and reasonable rates

Because utility customers don’t have the ability to choose another electric distribution company, strong oversight and accountability are essential to protecting consumers from unnecessary costs.

📢 Tell your legislators to support SB 326. Contact your State Senator and State Representative and ask them to vote YES on this important consumer protection legislation.

Together, we can help ensure utility rates remain fair, transparent, and accountable for Delaware families and businesses.

Find Your Legislators 🔎 https://legis.delaware.gov/FindMyLegislator