Delaware’s electric costs are well below the national average for commercial customers and slightly above average for residential customers.
That was the finding from the recent ranking by Choose Energy.com. The site calculates rates based on federal figures.
Delaware had the 13th lowest commercial rates, but fell to 25thin residential tariffs.
Delaware’s residential rates are about two percent higher than the national average, with commercial rates about 16 percent below the national average.
Washington, which gets a large percentage of its power from hydroelectric plants had the lowest residential rates.
Hawaii, which has to brings in fuel from the mainland had the highest electricity costs. The high rates have triggered growth in solar energy. However, utilities have ended incentives and installations have declined.
Delaware has electricity choice for commercial and residential customers of Delmarva Power.
Municipalities and the areas served by the Delaware Electric Cooperative in Kent and Sussex County do not have choice.
East Coast energy prices have been aided by discoveries of natural gas in Pennsylvania. That has brought natural gas-fired plants online in Dover and Rising Sun, MD.
Delaware does have a renewable energy mandate is part of the cap and trade market for emissions. Critics have claimed the mandates drive up electric costs and make the state uncompetitive.
Meanwhile, the state’s clean energy efforts suffered a setback when the Environmental Protection Agency rejected a plea to order a clean up of emissions from downwind coal-fired power plants in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and other states. The plants are blamed for bringing pollution to the state.
Critics claim pollution is not a factor in the state’s air quality. Northern Delaware does see extensive vehicle pollution, due to its location along I-95.
