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

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Bill Bush and 15 co-sponsors

SB 276 amends Delaware’s electric utility laws to modify rates, planning, and consumer protections for electric service and grid modernization under PSC oversight.

Signed by Governor

Overview

SB 276 is an act intended to amend Title 26 of the Delaware Code, which governs utilities, specifically electric utilities. The bill was introduced on April 9, 2026, assigned to the Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee, and reported out of committee on April 15, 2026 with a favorable vote (5-2 on merits).

Purpose and Intent

The bill seeks to modify statutory provisions related to electric utilities in Delaware. While the exact text of the amendments is not provided here, the bill’s placement within Title 26 and the committee focus indicate efforts to adjust regulatory, financial, or operational aspects of electric utility governance in the state.

Given the committee assignment and the nature of typical “electric utilities” amendments, potential aims may include rate design, reliability standards, grid modernization, consumer protections, or integrated planning requirements. The sponsorship by a broad group of lawmakers suggests a policy objective with statewide impact.

Key Provisions and Changes (as indicated by bill’s scope)

The bill would amend Title 26 of the Delaware Code (Electric Utilities). Specific subsections likely affected are those governing:

Rates and rate design for electric service
Utility planning and reliability standards
Procedures for approving major utility projects or investments
Consumer protections, billing, or dispute resolution
Potential procedures for renewable energy integration, grid modernization, or support for clean energy initiatives

The precise mechanisms (e.g., new requirements, thresholds, timelines, or regulatory processes) would be found in the enacted text. The summary here reflects typical areas affected by electric utility updates.

Who Is Affected

Electric utilities operating in Delaware and subject to Public Service Commission oversight.

Delaware ratepayers and residential/commercial customers who purchase electricity.

State regulators, including the Public Service Commission and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (if related to energy planning or environmental standards).

Stakeholder groups such as energy developers, solar/wind providers, and energy efficiency program implementers, depending on the exact provisions.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduced: April 9, 2026

Committee Assignment: Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee (Senate)

Reported Out of Committee: April 15, 2026, with 5 in favor and 2 on merit (indicating a favorable panel on the bill’s merits, though not a final passage vote)

Next steps (typical): If advanced, the bill would go to the Senate floor for debate and voting, then potentially to the House of Representatives for consideration, and finally to the governor for signature or veto. Specific timelines would be determined by the Senate calendar and legislative process.

Additional Notes

A full understanding of SB 276 requires the enacted text to identify exact changes to statutory language, including definitions, effective dates, transition provisions, and any new regulatory authorities or standards.

Co-sponsors include a broad bipartisan slate, suggesting cross-advocacy for the bill’s goals. Notable co-sponsors include Ed Osienski, Dave Wilson, Stephanie Hansen, and several others.

If you’d like, I can provide a draft that outlines the bill’s effects once the official text is available, including section-by-section summaries and any anticipated fiscal or rate impact analyses.

Bill