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DelawareSB 159 w/ SA 1 + HA 1153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES.

Sponsored By: Stephanie L. Hansen (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Counties must approve qualifying substation permits

The law bars counties from denying some substation permits on unincorporated land. Approval is required when all four rules are met: the substation supports a proposed renewable project of 250 MW or more; the site is in a heavy industrial zone; substations are an allowed conditional use there; and that zoning district already had a 230 kV or larger substation as of August 8, 2023. This also covers directly related project infrastructure. Applications filed on or after August 8, 2023 that meet these rules are deemed approved, even if the county already denied them. Counties cannot change zoning or codes after the fact to make a filed application fail.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Stephanie L. Hansen

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Frank Burns

    Democratic • House

  • Daniel Cruce

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mara Gorman

    Democratic • House

  • Kerri Evelyn Harris

    Democratic • House

  • Kyra L. Hoffner

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kendra Johnson

    Democratic • House

  • Larry Lambert

    Democratic • House

  • S. Elizabeth Lockman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sean M. Lynn

    Democratic • House

  • Eric Morrison

    Democratic • House

  • DeShanna U Neal

    Democratic • House

  • Josue O Ortega

    Democratic • House

  • Edward S. Osienski

    Democratic • House

  • Trey Paradee

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sophie Phillips

    Democratic • House

  • Marie Pinkney

    Democratic • Senate

  • Nicole Poore

    Democratic • Senate

  • Cyndie Romer

    Democratic • House

  • Melanie Ross Levin

    Democratic • House

  • Sherae'a Moore

    Democratic • House

  • Ray Seigfried

    Democratic • Senate

  • Claire Snyder-Hall

    Democratic • House

  • David P. Sokola

    Democratic • Senate

  • Laura V. Sturgeon

    Democratic • Senate

  • Bryan Townsend

    Democratic • Senate

  • John "Jack" Walsh

    Democratic • Senate

  • Madinah Wilson-Anton

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 55 • No: 26

Senate vote • 6/30/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 15 • No: 6

House vote • 6/30/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 25 • No: 15

Senate vote • 6/10/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 15 • No: 5

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor

    6/30/2025Governor

  2. Passed By Senate. Votes: 15 YES 6 NO

    6/30/2025Senate

  3. Passed By House. Votes: 25 YES 15 NO 1 VACANT

    6/30/2025House

  4. Amendment HA 1 to SB 159 - Passed In House by Voice Vote

    6/30/2025House

  5. Reported Out of Committee (Natural Resources & Energy) in House with 4 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits

    6/24/2025House

  6. Assigned to Natural Resources & Energy Committee in House

    6/11/2025House

  7. Passed By Senate. Votes: 15 YES 5 NO 1 ABSENT

    6/10/2025Senate

  8. Amendment SA 1 to SB 159 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT

    6/10/2025Senate

  9. Reported Out of Committee (Environment, Energy & Transportation) in Senate with 3 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits

    6/10/2025Senate

  10. Amendment SA 1 to SB 159 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

    6/6/2025Senate

  11. Introduced and Assigned to Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee in Senate

    5/21/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Current

    5/21/2025

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