Legislation News
PrintDelaware hikes renewable energy target to 25% by 2025
Delaware has adopted a higher target to source its electricity from renewable energy, and will require municipal electric companies as well as investor-owned utilities to comply.
Governor Jack Markell signed a package of four bills yesterday, upping the 20% by 2020 renewable electricity target to 25% by 2025.
The measures were intended to boost employment opportunities in the First State, particularly in the wind and solar power industries.
At present, 95% of Delaware’s electricity comes from fossil fuels, including 70% from coal power plants.
Gov Markell said: “Delaware has a long history of innovation, and these bills make clear that our state intends to play an important role in the clean energy economy of the future. We can strengthen our economy, improve our environment and innovate at the same time, and are with these bills.”
Legislation
With inclusion of specific solar power quota, the legislation signed yesterday could lead to around 250 megawatts of new solar photovoltaic systems installed over the next 15 years – enough to power 62,000 homes.
For the first time, Delaware Electric Cooperative and municipal electric companies will have to meet the Standard – representing about a third of Delaware’s electricity.
The new legislation also aims to promote the development of offshore wind facilities off the coast of Delaware, a possible source of employment for thousands of manufacturing workers, metal workers, electricians and marine tradespeople.
A new Green Energy Fund is to be set up to provide incentives for renewable energy schemes, while Delaware’s net metering program is also to be strengthened, allowing homes and businesses to sell back to the grid 110% of their consumption level and groups of meters to be combined to help fund larger projects.
Comments: