There has been much discussion in the Delaware General Assembly about Senate Bill 159, now awaiting consideration in the House of Representatives after being passed by the Senate. The measure would effectively repeal a December 2024 Sussex County Council decision that blocked a conditional use permit for US Wind to build an electric substation in Dagsboro to advance an offshore wind project. The debate surrounding the bill regards the balance between municipalities’ local control — also known as “home rule” — and the state’s potential ability to override that authority. Who do you think should make local decisions that could affect all Delaware citizens? What are some other examples of this issue?
Delaware politicians in Dover disregard the federal government, saying, “You’re not passing a rule to guide us” — like the deportation of illegal immigrants. But now, Dover wants to overrule Sussex County about a wind project that gives no electric benefit to Delaware but to Maryland. Sounds more like “good for me and not for thee.” — John Drennen
In “The Fatal Conceit: The Errors of Socialism,” Nobel laureate Friedrich Hayek criticized the centralization of authority, observing that “the curious task of economics is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design.” His insight could just as easily apply to members of the Delaware General Assembly. The economists Hayek critiqued were highly educated — yet even they often misunderstood the systems they sought to manage. In contrast, many in the Delaware legislature lack formal expertise in the complex issues embedded in Senate Bill 159. As a result, it’s not at all certain that their efforts to override local decision making will yield the outcomes they anticipate. What is more certain is the continued erosion of local autonomy. — Richard F. Bieker
Why should the county have the right to control the rest of the state? Aren’t utilities ultimately the jurisdiction of the state? — Benjamin Black
If local control was a superseding determinant for legislation, we’d still have segregated schools. — Jeff Paullin
The wind turbines in question benefit Maryland’s energy consumption. — Tiffany Isabella Demi
• The principle of subsidiarity is the concept that decision-making authority should be placed where responsibility for outcome will occur and in close proximity to where actions are taken and at the most local level possible by the elected officials closest to community members. Subsidiarity also recognizes the role higher authorities — as in the state legislature in this case — can play to ensure that all people are able to thrive. Overruling Sussex County government’s decision to block offshore wind will benefit all Delawareans. Overriding county governments’ decisions on allowable locations for marijuana establishments does not benefit all Delawareans. Increasing fees and fines on county governments does not benefit all Delawareans. — Jody Sweeney, Kent County Levy Court commissioner
The state should not supersede what the counties have determined! — Diane Pusey
All politics are “local.” This is the brilliance of the Founding Fathers when it comes to the Electoral College. Same situation here. The northern county is controlling the entire state. It’s not right. — Rick Kerchevall
Is the wind farm beneficial to Delaware? No, they are just running lines to benefit Maryland. The one legislator didn’t even talk to Sussex. Government is overreaching the county’s choice for what is best for it. — Bobbi Costello
Why should this even be considered? Delaware will not receive one penny to allow the feed to go through Delaware, nor will we receive a federal tax credit! Maryland residents will benefit from it! Let US Wind build the electric substation off the Maryland coast! — Cindy Christiansen
Home rule should rule! Of course, you know there is money behind the state’s decision somewhere that is going in politicians’ pockets. — Warren Avis
