Regulatory Body: The Delaware Public Service Commission

Legislative or Regulatory Activities
In 2009 Delaware enacted the Energy Conservation and Efficiency Act, which prioritizes energy efficiency and conservation before other sources of energy. It creates an Energy Efficiency Resource Standard and requires a 15% reduction in consumption and peak demand by 2015. Delaware also created a non-profit entity called Sustainable Energy Utility, tasked with developing and implementing all energy efficiency and conservation programs.

In 2007 Delmarva Power & Light proposed a plan for smart metering, demand response and energy efficiency. Delmarva, the only state-regulated electric utility in Delaware, is required to file an annual Integrated Resource Planning, under which it must first consider demand response and demand-side management solutions to meet base load and load growth needs. In 2008, PSC issued an order in which it approved the initial “diffusion of the advanced metering technology into the electric distribution system network” and signaled that it will further explore demand response programs proposed by Delmarva. In August 2009, the PSC began an investigation into the benefits to ratepayers from AMI technologies, in particular dynamic pricing--the matter is ongoing. According to Delmarva’s 2010 Integrated Resource Plan, it has begun deploying AMI consistent with the 2008 order.

Cost Recovery
Energy efficiency and conservation investments that are deemed regulatory assets are eligible for cost recovery. The PSC is also exploring the issue of decoupling.

Investor-Owned Utilities
Delmarva Power & Light