DelawareSJR 3 w/ SA 2153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)SenateWALLET

DIRECTING ALL ELECTRIC PUBLIC UTILITIES IN DELAWARE TO PARTICIPATE IN A STUDY TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE DELAWARE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY UTILITY TO ASSESS AND ANALYZE THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF THE ADOPTION OF ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS IN DELAWARE, AND DIRECTING THE DELAWARE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY UTILITY TO CONDUCT A PILOT PROGRAM WITH THE PARTICIPATION AND COOPERATION OF CERTAIN ELECTRIC UTILITIES TO DEVELOP AND DEPLOY PILOT PROJECTS INVOLVING BATTERY STORAGE SYSTEMS IN DELAWARE.

Sponsored By: Stephanie L. Hansen (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Delaware battery storage study and outreach

The Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility (DESEU) studies the costs and benefits of battery storage across the state. All electric utilities must cooperate and share data. DESEU works with the State Energy Office, Public Service Commission, Public Advocate, the University of Delaware, and stakeholders. The study covers rules, demand reduction, deferring grid upgrades, pairing with renewables, and value like peak reduction and resilience. Utilities are encouraged to run customer outreach about storage benefits and incentives.

Pilot battery projects with Delaware utilities

DESEU runs a pilot with Delmarva Power, the municipal electric group, the electric cooperative, and one independent power producer. Each must build at least one battery storage project. Pilots focus on cutting peak load, improving resilience, and adding hosting capacity. DESEU gives guidance and funding, and may include existing projects. DESEU funds only cover future costs, not past spending.

Storage study reports and 2030 targets

DESEU must send a preliminary status report by December 31, 2025. A full report with findings is due by June 1, 2026. DESEU also evaluates where more storage can be built and estimates megawatts that could be built by December 31, 2030, or another reasonable delivery year. Reports go to the Governor, all legislators, and state record offices.

Utilities can bill customers for pilots

Public Service Commission–regulated utilities can recover reasonable pilot costs in customer rates. This includes design, deployment, operations, and IT/OT costs. Any DESEU funding reduces what they can recover. This can raise electric bills, subject to PSC review.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Stephanie L. Hansen
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Frank Burns
Democratic • House
Kyra L. Hoffner
Democratic • Senate
Russell Huxtable
Democratic • Senate
Larry Lambert
Democratic • House
S. Elizabeth Lockman
Democratic • Senate
Eric Morrison
Democratic • House
DeShanna U Neal
Democratic • House
Brian Pettyjohn
Republican • Senate
Bryant L. Richardson
Republican • Senate
Ray Seigfried
Democratic • Senate
Claire Snyder-Hall
Democratic • House
David P. Sokola
Democratic • Senate
John "Jack" Walsh
Democratic • Senate
David L. Wilson
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 57 • No: 0

House vote • 7/1/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/27/2025