Letter to the Editor: Delaware’s energy policy needs new direction

Senate Bill 310 was passed by the 151st General Assembly on June 30 and was signed by the governor July 22. It establishes the membership of the Governor’s Energy Advisory Council to include 13 members who shall be appointed by the governor, one member of the Senate appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate and one member of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives. This allows much discretion in how the committee will be comprised and will impact the direction that our state’s energy policies will take.

It is imperative that the governor and legislative leaders choose members who will be strong advocates for combating the status quo by requiring aggressive growth in renewable-energy sources, while protecting the consumer.

Sadly, there are reasons to believe that the membership of the committee will be aligned to protect the status quo:

• Senate Bill 305, requiring a 50% reduction of statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 90% by 2050 was withdrawn because Gov. Carney’s office issued a statement that he did not want the House to vote on this bill. SB 305 was rescheduled for a hearing on June 29 but never received a vote in the House.
• House Bill 220, known as the Green Amendment, has not received support and was tabled in committee. The amendment proposes to protect Delaware’s natural resources. By enacting this amendment, Delaware would join other states which have or are seeking similar provisions in their respective constitutions, creating the same inherent and inalienable rights for their citizens.
• Senate Bill 298 quickly passed and was voted into law. This bill increases the cap at which electric companies may elect not to provide net metering. However, this came at the expense of homeowners who have already installed solar panels. Electric companies no longer need to compensate homeowners for electricity they produce in excess of their consumption at the end of the annualized billing cycle. The electricity produced by the homeowner’s investment goes into the grid, and electric companies sell it to someone else. Homeowners who installed solar panels were relying on the terms in place at the time of installation, which read that they would be compensated annually for any excess electricity they generate and provide to the grid.
• Delaware has a lackluster renewable portfolio standard that requires 40% of the electricity sold come from renewable-energy sources by 2035. Maryland and New Jersey have a 50% requirement by 2030. Eleven states and territories have a 100% requirement goal established.
• The governor and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control have not countered the efforts of fossil fuel-funded campaigns to protest the plans for offshore wind.

Delaware’s policies and the actions of our elected officials do not inspire confidence that we will adequately meet the environmental challenges that face us. We need to demand that the Governor’s Energy Advisory Council be comprised of members who are committed to aggressive goals and choose to make Delaware a leader in implementation of renewable-energy sources.

We cannot tolerate acquiescence to the status quo.

Tom Brett

Millsboro