Can the Grid Keep Up?

Issue 12.18

May 15, 2026

THIS WEEK IN DOVER

Several bills advanced in Dover this week touching on innovation funding, environmental permitting, and Delaware’s business fee structure, with implications for startups, manufacturers, technology firms, and other regulated industries across the state. Those bills include:

Additionally, State Rep. Kevin Hensley announced this week that he will not seek re-election in 2026. He is the sixth member of the Delaware House to announce plans not to run again in November, including five Republicans and one Democrat. Read more >

SUPERSTARS IN EDUCATION & TRAINING

NEW CASTLE COUNTY VO-TECH SCHOOL DISTRICT |

A HEAD START IN HEALTH CARE

For many high school health programs, clinical experience comes later. In the New Castle County Vocational Technical School District (NCCVT), it’s already part of the path. Through a partnership with Nemours Children’s Health, the Workforce Pipeline Development Program integrates academic instruction with real-world clinical experience for high schoolers, creating high-quality, work-based learning opportunities. Launched in 2022 with just six students, the program now spans all four NCCVT high schools and multiple career pathways. Read more >

WATCH THEIR VIDEO:

EPISODE 32 | CAN THE GRID KEEP UP?

FEATURING BRIAN JORDAN, ANDREW COTTONE,

AND JOE KERECMAN

As energy demand accelerates and grid constraints tighten, conversations around reliability, capacity, and affordability are intimately tied to Delaware’s economic future. In this episode, Kelly sits down with three industry leaders discuss how energy availability is shaping business investment decisions, infrastructure planning, and long-term competitiveness across the region. From data centers and rising demand to grid congestion and legislative activity in Dover, the conversation explores what it will take to support growth while maintaining reliability and cost stability.

Listen to the episode on your favorite streaming platform >

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FAST FACT: PJM, our regional grid operator serving 67 million people across 13 states and Washington, D.C., recently received proposals for 811 new energy projects totaling more than 220 gigawatts of generation capacity.

POWER, POWER, AND POWER

AS ENERGY DEMAND GROWS, POWER AVAILABILITY IS THE DEFINING FACTOR IN SITE SELECTION

In a recent interview with Site Selection magazine, JLL Vice President Sean Farney said, “Site selection has been converted to a location of power game. It used to be more multi-factor and based on network connectivity to the grid and access to water. But today, given the size of data center developments, power is really factors 1, 2 and 3. Location, location, location is now power, power and power.” Read more >

FAST FACT: JLL, a global real estate company, projects worldwide data center capacity will nearly double from 103 to 200 gigawatts by 2030, driven largely by AI demand and cloud expansion. Read more >

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Delaware is at a pivotal moment. Decisions being made in Dover right now have the potential to shape our state’s competitiveness, business climate, and long-term economic trajectory for years to come. At our End-of-Session Policy Conference next Wednesday, hear directly from the policymakers leading some of this session’s most significant discussions.

Attendees will also hear from legislative leaders and bill sponsors on key proposals moving through the General Assembly, including SB 16, 18, and 19, sponsored by Sen. Spiros Mantzavinos, HB 380, sponsored by Rep. Krista Griffith; and HB 400, sponsored by House Majority Leader Kerri Evelyn Harris. Read more >

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