Energy Efficiency Policy in Delaware

Delaware's energy efficiency programs are administered by the Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU), which grew out of a legislative task force created in 2006. The Sustainable Energy Utility is a nonprofit corporation managed by a contract administrator (currently Applied Energy Group) that develops end-user markets for energy efficiency & conservation, customer-sited renewable energy, and affordable energy services for low and moderate income families. Transportation as well as building energy use may be addressed by programs of the SEU. The SEU falls under the jurisdiction of the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility Oversight Board, whose appointed members include representatives from various governmental, business and not-for-profit entities.

The SEU Efficiency programs are funded by "special purpose" state bonds and through a System Benefits Charge (SBC) of 0.356 mills per kWh that goes towards the state's Green Energy Fund. Electricity providers are now also authorized to create an integrated resource plan (IRP) that includes planning for renewable energy and demand-side resources.

Delaware is required by statute to create a five-year state energy plan through the Governor's Energy Advisory Council in order to consider the long-term energy needs of the state and provide recommendations for updated state energy policies. The "2009-20014 Delaware Energy Plan" can be found here.

Delaware also has mandatory energy building codes for residential construction, based off of IECC 2000 and commercial construction, based on IECC 2000 and the IECC 2001 supplement.

State Offices

Delaware Energy Office
Delaware Public Service Commission

Program Administrators

Sustainable Energy Utility

Key Policies

Sustainable Energy Utility Act of 2007
Revised Green Energy Fund Act of 2007
Electric Utility Retail Customer Supply Act of 2006