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We Need More Reliable Energy

AI data centers consume massive amounts of electricity, driving up demand while supply struggles to keep pace. Basic economics tells us this has contributed to driving up energy prices.

Republicans in the General Assembly have long advocated for a diverse, reliable energy portfolio that includes traditional baseload generation, nuclear, and renewable energy. Unfortunately, the unrealistic rush to “net-zero” has forced dependable power sources offline without a real plan to replace them.

Here’s what Senate and House Republicans have supported and introduced to strengthen the grid and help lower energy costs:

• HB 186, introduced by Rep. Kevin Hensley and Sen. Pettyjohn, is a bipartisan bill creating a targeted, capped tax credit to incentivize the construction of up to three high-efficiency combined-cycle natural gas power plants that would add dependable baseload power, improve energy security, and stabilize prices.

• Senators Hocker and Pettyjohn are actively working with stakeholders to determine what it would take to bring the Indian River Power Plant in Dagsboro back online.

• Senator Richardson authored SCR 18, which created the Delaware Nuclear Energy Feasibility Task Force that is currently exploring how nuclear energy, particularly small modular reactors, could be deployed in Delaware.

• In 2021, our caucus unanimously supported community solar legislation (SB 2) to expand renewable options while maintaining grid reliability.

Delaware families and businesses deserve energy they can afford and count on. Republicans are working to strengthen the grid and put reliability and affordability first.

House Bill 286

Homes are expensive. For many Delaware families, the biggest hurdle is not just the mortgage, but the thousands of dollars due at closing.

Representative Lyndon Yearick and Senator Eric Buckson have introduced HB 286 to reduce and, in many cases eliminate, the State’s realty transfer tax on residential properties.

This bill eliminates the State realty transfer tax entirely for homes valued at $350,000 or less. For homes valued between $350,000 and $500,000, it gradually reduces the State’s rate by one-quarter percent per year over four years.

That means real savings for Delaware families and first-time homebuyers who are already stretching their budgets to make homeownership possible.

If we are serious about affordability, we have to be serious about lowering the upfront costs of buying a home. This is a practical step in the right direction.

Low-Voltage Licensing Proposal to Be Discussed Tuesday

The Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners will meet Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. to discuss potential changes to state regulations impacting low-voltage contractors. More information about the meeting, including the link to participate virtually, can be viewed here.

Under current regulation (24 Del. Admin. Code § 1400-10.1.6), contractors who install or maintain certain low-voltage, energy-limited systems are exempt from needing a specific electrical license. This exemption applies to work involving telephone systems, sound and data wiring, cable television, closed-circuit video, satellite systems, instrumentation, temperature controls, networking, security systems, and low-voltage landscape lighting. Fire alarm systems are not included in the exemption and already require separate licensing.

In August 2025, a proposal was introduced to remove this exemption. Following feedback and concerns raised by industry professionals, the proposed change was tabled in September 2025.

The upcoming meeting will revisit the issue and could determine next steps for contractors and businesses statewide. It is important that this proposed change not go through as it would hurt contractors and increase construction costs. Please consider attending and speaking out against the proposal and supporting its withdrawal from consideration, especially if you are in the industry.

Joint Finance Committee

The Joint Finance Committee has completed the first two weeks of its month-long budget hearings. Hearings continue every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday throughout February.



Visit legis.delaware.gov for the full schedule and daily hearing agendas.

For The Record Podcast

Senator Pettyjohn, Deanna, and Matt discuss the extremely high energy bills Delmarva Power & Light ratepayers in particular are facing and legislation Republicans are proposing to help stabilize energy costs. We also share Legislative Hall ghost stories and briefly touch on the Super Bowl.

You can find the latest episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and more!

Spotify

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