Energy Efficiency Policy in Delaware

Delaware's energy efficiency programs are administered by the Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU), Energize Delaware. 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. The SEU will be part of Delaware's strategy to meet its energy efficiency resource standard, which requires that the state reduce its electricity by 15 percent and its natural gas use by 10 percent by 2015. The SEU is not currently funded by ratepayers, but by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Electricity providers are now also authorized to create an integrated resource plan (IRP) that includes planning for energy efficiency and demand-side resources and implement those programs in collaboration with the SEU.

Some energy efficiency programs are funded through the state's Green Energy Program, funded by a $0.356 mills per kWh charge on electricity sales to provide incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency.

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 recently updated its mandatory energy building codes based on IECC 2009 for residential and commercial buildings.

State Offices

Delaware Energy Office
Delaware Public Service Commission

Program Administrators

Sustainable Energy Utility

Key Policies

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

For more information including policy updates, news and other resources, please visit our Tracking and Reporting Section.