Delaware Natural Resources Police Cite Sussex Man for Illegal Dumping Date Posted: September 23, 2022
Delaware Division of the Arts Announces 2022-2023 POETRY OUT LOUD Poetry Recitation Contest Date Posted: September 23, 2022
Governor Carney, Keep Delaware Beautiful, Delaware Department of Transportation Launch Litter Free School Zone Program Date Posted: September 23, 2022
2023 Delaware Teacher of the Year to be Named Next Month Date Posted: September 22, 2022
DNREC to Seek Community Water Project Proposals Date Posted: September 22, 2022
Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site public workshops Date Posted: September 22, 2022
Eligibility For Monkeypox Vaccine Expands Again In Delaware Date Posted: September 22, 2022
Las Oficinas De La División De Servicios De Manutención Infantil (DCSS Por Sus Siglas En Ingles) Cerrarán Sept 23 Date Posted: September 21, 2022
Delmarva Natural Gas Prices Set to Rise Ahead of Winter Heating Season Date Posted: September 21, 2022
2,075 Seedlings Planted for the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Tree Planting Date Posted: September 21, 2022
Blackbird State Forest’s Meadows Tract Renamed in Honor of Senator Bruce C. Ennis Date Posted: September 20, 2022
‘The War of 1812: Over Two Centuries Later’ Date Posted: September 20, 2022
DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation Achieves National Accreditation after Rigorous Review Date Posted: September 20, 2022
DPH Announces #MyReasonWhyDE Youth Campaign Date Posted: September 20, 2022
DHSS to Expand Community Well-Being Initiative to Kent County Date Posted: September 19, 2022
Historical Affairs programs in October 2022 Date Posted: September 19, 2022
Division of Child Support Services Offices Will Be Closed Sept. 23 Date Posted: September 19, 2022
2023 Health, Dental, Small Group Insurance Rates Announced Date Posted: September 19, 2022
COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations Decline In Last Month; DPH Shares Information On Bivalent Boosters Date Posted: September 16, 2022
DNREC Announces Grants to Support Communities With Pollution Restoration Projects Date Posted: September 16, 2022
Brandywine Zoo Awarded Re-Accreditation by Association of Zoos and Aquariums Date Posted: September 15, 2022
Governor Carney Formally Extends Public Health Emergency Date Posted: September 15, 2022
September is Preparedness Month in Delaware Date Posted: September 15, 2022
DOJ Secures 646 Charges Against Husband, Wife for Serial Child Abuse and Torture Date Posted: September 14, 2022
DPH Shares Activities As Part Of Falls Prevention Awareness Week Date Posted: September 14, 2022
Delaware Waterfowl and Trout Stamp Art Winners Chosen Date Posted: September 14, 2022
Stephen Taylor to Lead Delaware Captive Bureau Date Posted: September 13, 2022
Delaware Hunters Reminded Harvest of Delmarva Fox Squirrels is Prohibited Date Posted: September 13, 2022
Delaware Office Of Highway Safety Anticipates Increase in Motorcycle Traffic for Delmarva Bike Week Date Posted: September 12, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness Releases 19 More School District Audits Date Posted: September 12, 2022
Nominations Open for 2022 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award Date Posted: September 12, 2022
DPH Announces Expanded Monkeypox Vaccination Access and Vaccination During AIDS Walk Delaware Events On September 17 Date Posted: September 12, 2022
MONEY MATCH Program reunites over $460,000 to Delaware Taxpayers Date Posted: September 12, 2022
State Awards More Than $3.8 Million to Support High-Quality Professional Learning Date Posted: September 12, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: The Adams Home Farm of Northwest Fork Hundred Date Posted: September 12, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: September 10, 2022
Arrest on Charge of DUI Made After Newark Man Drives Vehicle Into Surf on Navy Beach at Cape Henlopen Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Two Wilmington Gang Members Sentenced for Murders, Gun Charges Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Free Fly-Fishing Lessons Offered for Anglers Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Wilmington Man Sentenced in Revenge Murder Case Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Delaware Climate Leadership Academy to Launch Second Cohort Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Volunteers Needed To Plant Trees on September 17 at Blackbird State Forest, Enhancing the Chesapeake Bay Date Posted: September 7, 2022
DNREC Completes Murderkill Channel Dredging, Takes Momentum Into Fall for More Navigability Projects Date Posted: September 7, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness Announces the First Ever Fraud Hotline Annual Report Date Posted: September 6, 2022
AG Jennings Announces $438.5 Million Multistate Agreement with JUUL Labs Date Posted: September 6, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Sales Agreement for New Wilmington Library Location Date Posted: September 6, 2022
Heritage Commission’s Book of the Week: The Perennial Apprentice Date Posted: September 6, 2022
October Declared Delaware Cybersecurity Awareness Month Date Posted: September 2, 2022
Wilmington Man Arrested After Lewdness and Indecent Exposure Incidents at First State National Historical Park Date Posted: September 2, 2022
DPH Announces Updates To Monkeypox Cases, Vaccine Access And Launch Of Public Health Alert Web Portal Date Posted: September 1, 2022
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Weekend Event to be Held Oct. 7 to 9 at Camp Barnes Date Posted: September 1, 2022
DNREC to Reopen The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park Sept. 1 Date Posted: September 1, 2022
FDA Authorizes Bivalent COVID-19 Boosters; CDC Sign-Off Expected By Weekend Date Posted: August 31, 2022
DPH Announces First Human Case Of West Nile Virus Of The Year In Sussex County Man Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commission to Hold Virtual Public Hearing on Horseshoe Crab Draft Addendum VIII Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Division Of Public Health Releases Information On 2020 Delaware Unintentional Drug Overdose Deaths Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Delaware Division Of Public Health Re-Accredited As Nationally Accredited Public Health Agency Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Flag Lowering for International Overdose Awareness Day Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Central Delaware Career Expo Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Appointments to State Board of Education Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Numerous Delaware Hunting Seasons to Open in September, Including Archery Deer, Resident Canada Goose, Teal Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Division of Small Business to Reopen EDGE Grants Competition for Applications Date Posted: August 30, 2022
DMV Announces New Medical Tint Waiver Application Process Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Delaware Division of Public Health Launches New Fentanyl Test Strip Distribution Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Delaware’s Annual Chautauqua Tent Show, Sept. 8–11, 2022 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Gov. Charles L. Terry – Oral History Series Date Posted: August 29, 2022
DEHAP Rental Assistance Will Temporarily Pause On September 9 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Air Permitting Training Session Scheduled for Sept. 20 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Plans Underway for High-Capacity Magazine Buyback for Delaware Residents Date Posted: August 26, 2022
Delaware Transit Corporation Receives 5th Federal Grant for Energy Efficient Buses Date Posted: August 26, 2022
DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center to Close Sept. 1 for Season Date Posted: August 26, 2022
Back to School…It’s Go Time Date Posted: August 26, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness: “Delaware Criminal Justice Council Policy Updates Improve Justice for All” Date Posted: August 25, 2022
DNREC Encourages Visitors to Utilize Guarded Beaches at Delaware State Parks for Swimming Date Posted: August 25, 2022
Delaware Emitirá Beneficios de Emergencia el 25 de Agosto Date Posted: August 24, 2022
Delaware Will Issue Monthly Emergency Benefits on August 25 Date Posted: August 24, 2022
The Mezzanine Gallery to Exhibit “Inner Reflections” by Kiara Florez Date Posted: August 24, 2022
TranspARTation Grant Opportunity for Schools Returns for 2022-2023 School Year Date Posted: August 24, 2022
Felony Arrests Made Following Killens Pond State Park Water Park Burglary Date Posted: August 23, 2022
DPH Announces Six New Cases Of Monkeypox; Vaccine Expansion Underway Date Posted: August 23, 2022
Delaware Seeks Federal Grant to Support Cleaner School Buses Date Posted: August 23, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: August 23, 2022
DNREC to Host Community Workshop on Proposed Biogas Facility in Southern Delaware Date Posted: August 22, 2022
2022-23 School Year Free and Reduced-Price Meal Policy Announced Date Posted: August 22, 2022
Secretary of State Announces Leadership Change Date Posted: August 22, 2022
“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Plan for a Sober Ride Home Date Posted: August 22, 2022
Covid-19 Cases Decline In Last Month; DPH Shares Summary Of Most Recent CDC Updates Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Jennings, DSP Announce Trooper Plea In Computer System Misuse Case Date Posted: August 19, 2022
DIAA Statement on DFOA Officials Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Governor Carney Formally Extends Public Health Emergency Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Implementation of Delaware EARNS to Begin Date Posted: August 18, 2022
DPH Announces Partnerships To Expand Access To The Monkeypox Vaccine For Eligible Persons Date Posted: August 18, 2022
Jennings, State AGs Reach $450 Million Settlement As Part Of Opioid Maker Endo’s Bankruptcy Date Posted: August 18, 2022
Governor Carney Announces High Ratings from Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor Date Posted: August 18, 2022
DPH Announces Five New Monkeypox Cases And Expanded Access To Vaccine Date Posted: August 16, 2022
Historical Affairs programs in September 2022 Date Posted: August 16, 2022
Public Advocate’s Petition to Reduce Tidewater’s Rates Granted Date Posted: August 15, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Russell W. Peterson Date Posted: August 15, 2022
DNREC to Present Texas Living Shoreline Webinar Aug. 25 Date Posted: August 15, 2022
Delaware Natural Resources Police Cite Sussex Man for Illegal Dumping Date Posted: September 23, 2022
Delaware Division of the Arts Announces 2022-2023 POETRY OUT LOUD Poetry Recitation Contest Date Posted: September 23, 2022
Governor Carney, Keep Delaware Beautiful, Delaware Department of Transportation Launch Litter Free School Zone Program Date Posted: September 23, 2022
2023 Delaware Teacher of the Year to be Named Next Month Date Posted: September 22, 2022
DNREC to Seek Community Water Project Proposals Date Posted: September 22, 2022
Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site public workshops Date Posted: September 22, 2022
Eligibility For Monkeypox Vaccine Expands Again In Delaware Date Posted: September 22, 2022
Las Oficinas De La División De Servicios De Manutención Infantil (DCSS Por Sus Siglas En Ingles) Cerrarán Sept 23 Date Posted: September 21, 2022
Delmarva Natural Gas Prices Set to Rise Ahead of Winter Heating Season Date Posted: September 21, 2022
2,075 Seedlings Planted for the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Tree Planting Date Posted: September 21, 2022
Blackbird State Forest’s Meadows Tract Renamed in Honor of Senator Bruce C. Ennis Date Posted: September 20, 2022
‘The War of 1812: Over Two Centuries Later’ Date Posted: September 20, 2022
DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation Achieves National Accreditation after Rigorous Review Date Posted: September 20, 2022
DPH Announces #MyReasonWhyDE Youth Campaign Date Posted: September 20, 2022
DHSS to Expand Community Well-Being Initiative to Kent County Date Posted: September 19, 2022
Historical Affairs programs in October 2022 Date Posted: September 19, 2022
Division of Child Support Services Offices Will Be Closed Sept. 23 Date Posted: September 19, 2022
2023 Health, Dental, Small Group Insurance Rates Announced Date Posted: September 19, 2022
COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations Decline In Last Month; DPH Shares Information On Bivalent Boosters Date Posted: September 16, 2022
DNREC Announces Grants to Support Communities With Pollution Restoration Projects Date Posted: September 16, 2022
Brandywine Zoo Awarded Re-Accreditation by Association of Zoos and Aquariums Date Posted: September 15, 2022
Governor Carney Formally Extends Public Health Emergency Date Posted: September 15, 2022
September is Preparedness Month in Delaware Date Posted: September 15, 2022
DOJ Secures 646 Charges Against Husband, Wife for Serial Child Abuse and Torture Date Posted: September 14, 2022
DPH Shares Activities As Part Of Falls Prevention Awareness Week Date Posted: September 14, 2022
Delaware Waterfowl and Trout Stamp Art Winners Chosen Date Posted: September 14, 2022
Stephen Taylor to Lead Delaware Captive Bureau Date Posted: September 13, 2022
Delaware Hunters Reminded Harvest of Delmarva Fox Squirrels is Prohibited Date Posted: September 13, 2022
Delaware Office Of Highway Safety Anticipates Increase in Motorcycle Traffic for Delmarva Bike Week Date Posted: September 12, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness Releases 19 More School District Audits Date Posted: September 12, 2022
Nominations Open for 2022 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award Date Posted: September 12, 2022
DPH Announces Expanded Monkeypox Vaccination Access and Vaccination During AIDS Walk Delaware Events On September 17 Date Posted: September 12, 2022
MONEY MATCH Program reunites over $460,000 to Delaware Taxpayers Date Posted: September 12, 2022
State Awards More Than $3.8 Million to Support High-Quality Professional Learning Date Posted: September 12, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: The Adams Home Farm of Northwest Fork Hundred Date Posted: September 12, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: September 10, 2022
Arrest on Charge of DUI Made After Newark Man Drives Vehicle Into Surf on Navy Beach at Cape Henlopen Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Two Wilmington Gang Members Sentenced for Murders, Gun Charges Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Free Fly-Fishing Lessons Offered for Anglers Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Wilmington Man Sentenced in Revenge Murder Case Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Delaware Climate Leadership Academy to Launch Second Cohort Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Volunteers Needed To Plant Trees on September 17 at Blackbird State Forest, Enhancing the Chesapeake Bay Date Posted: September 7, 2022
DNREC Completes Murderkill Channel Dredging, Takes Momentum Into Fall for More Navigability Projects Date Posted: September 7, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness Announces the First Ever Fraud Hotline Annual Report Date Posted: September 6, 2022
AG Jennings Announces $438.5 Million Multistate Agreement with JUUL Labs Date Posted: September 6, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Sales Agreement for New Wilmington Library Location Date Posted: September 6, 2022
Heritage Commission’s Book of the Week: The Perennial Apprentice Date Posted: September 6, 2022
October Declared Delaware Cybersecurity Awareness Month Date Posted: September 2, 2022
Wilmington Man Arrested After Lewdness and Indecent Exposure Incidents at First State National Historical Park Date Posted: September 2, 2022
DPH Announces Updates To Monkeypox Cases, Vaccine Access And Launch Of Public Health Alert Web Portal Date Posted: September 1, 2022
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Weekend Event to be Held Oct. 7 to 9 at Camp Barnes Date Posted: September 1, 2022
DNREC to Reopen The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park Sept. 1 Date Posted: September 1, 2022
FDA Authorizes Bivalent COVID-19 Boosters; CDC Sign-Off Expected By Weekend Date Posted: August 31, 2022
DPH Announces First Human Case Of West Nile Virus Of The Year In Sussex County Man Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commission to Hold Virtual Public Hearing on Horseshoe Crab Draft Addendum VIII Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Division Of Public Health Releases Information On 2020 Delaware Unintentional Drug Overdose Deaths Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Delaware Division Of Public Health Re-Accredited As Nationally Accredited Public Health Agency Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Flag Lowering for International Overdose Awareness Day Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Central Delaware Career Expo Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Appointments to State Board of Education Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Numerous Delaware Hunting Seasons to Open in September, Including Archery Deer, Resident Canada Goose, Teal Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Division of Small Business to Reopen EDGE Grants Competition for Applications Date Posted: August 30, 2022
DMV Announces New Medical Tint Waiver Application Process Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Delaware Division of Public Health Launches New Fentanyl Test Strip Distribution Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Delaware’s Annual Chautauqua Tent Show, Sept. 8–11, 2022 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Gov. Charles L. Terry – Oral History Series Date Posted: August 29, 2022
DEHAP Rental Assistance Will Temporarily Pause On September 9 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Air Permitting Training Session Scheduled for Sept. 20 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Plans Underway for High-Capacity Magazine Buyback for Delaware Residents Date Posted: August 26, 2022
Delaware Transit Corporation Receives 5th Federal Grant for Energy Efficient Buses Date Posted: August 26, 2022
DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center to Close Sept. 1 for Season Date Posted: August 26, 2022
Back to School…It’s Go Time Date Posted: August 26, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness: “Delaware Criminal Justice Council Policy Updates Improve Justice for All” Date Posted: August 25, 2022
DNREC Encourages Visitors to Utilize Guarded Beaches at Delaware State Parks for Swimming Date Posted: August 25, 2022
Delaware Emitirá Beneficios de Emergencia el 25 de Agosto Date Posted: August 24, 2022
Delaware Will Issue Monthly Emergency Benefits on August 25 Date Posted: August 24, 2022
The Mezzanine Gallery to Exhibit “Inner Reflections” by Kiara Florez Date Posted: August 24, 2022
TranspARTation Grant Opportunity for Schools Returns for 2022-2023 School Year Date Posted: August 24, 2022
Felony Arrests Made Following Killens Pond State Park Water Park Burglary Date Posted: August 23, 2022
DPH Announces Six New Cases Of Monkeypox; Vaccine Expansion Underway Date Posted: August 23, 2022
Delaware Seeks Federal Grant to Support Cleaner School Buses Date Posted: August 23, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: August 23, 2022
DNREC to Host Community Workshop on Proposed Biogas Facility in Southern Delaware Date Posted: August 22, 2022
2022-23 School Year Free and Reduced-Price Meal Policy Announced Date Posted: August 22, 2022
Secretary of State Announces Leadership Change Date Posted: August 22, 2022
“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Plan for a Sober Ride Home Date Posted: August 22, 2022
Covid-19 Cases Decline In Last Month; DPH Shares Summary Of Most Recent CDC Updates Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Jennings, DSP Announce Trooper Plea In Computer System Misuse Case Date Posted: August 19, 2022
DIAA Statement on DFOA Officials Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Governor Carney Formally Extends Public Health Emergency Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Implementation of Delaware EARNS to Begin Date Posted: August 18, 2022
DPH Announces Partnerships To Expand Access To The Monkeypox Vaccine For Eligible Persons Date Posted: August 18, 2022
Jennings, State AGs Reach $450 Million Settlement As Part Of Opioid Maker Endo’s Bankruptcy Date Posted: August 18, 2022
Governor Carney Announces High Ratings from Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor Date Posted: August 18, 2022
DPH Announces Five New Monkeypox Cases And Expanded Access To Vaccine Date Posted: August 16, 2022
Historical Affairs programs in September 2022 Date Posted: August 16, 2022
Public Advocate’s Petition to Reduce Tidewater’s Rates Granted Date Posted: August 15, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Russell W. Peterson Date Posted: August 15, 2022
DNREC to Present Texas Living Shoreline Webinar Aug. 25 Date Posted: August 15, 2022
Flag Status - FULL STAFF
Department of State | Division of the Public Advocate | Featured Posts | News | Public Service Commission | Date Posted: Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Dover, Del.—Natural gas prices have continued to increase this year and are up nearly 60 percent year to date. This is largely due to increased U.S. demand and the ongoing energy crisis in Europe.
According to the Energy Information Administration, about 42 percent of Delaware households rely on natural gas for home heating.
“Due to the increase in wholesale natural gas prices, customers will see a significant increase in their bills during the winter months,” said Delaware Public Advocate Andrew Slater. “However, there are ways to reduce your usage and keep utility bills reasonable. Energy utility bills are some of the only bills where the amount owed is dependent on usage.”
Delmarva Power recently filed changes to its Gas Cost Rate (GCR), PSC Docket No. 22-0726, reflecting an increase in costs for residential customers of more than 48 percent. According to its filing, a typical residential customer using 83 CCF in a winter month would see an increase of more than $25. These rates become effective November 1, 2022, subject to refund, while the rates are reviewed by both the Division of the Public Advocate and Public Service Commission Staff.
“Many energy conservation ideas are inexpensive and easy to implement. A few small steps can make a big difference in monthly bills. In addition to helping customers save money, energy conservation is also good for the environment,” said PSC Executive Director Matt Hartigan.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating accounts for the biggest portion of consumers’ utility bills. Savings tips include turning your thermostat down a few degrees, replacing dirty furnace filters, weather stripping doors and windows, opening shades on sunny days, and closing vents and doors of unoccupied areas.
Delawareans can contact Energize Delaware about its Home Performance with Energy Star, Home Energy Counseling and Check-Up programs. These programs are designed to find areas that may need weatherization and could potentially produce savings.
For additional tips on lowering your gas bill, please contact your local utility. Delmarva Power provides such tips at https://www.delmarva.com/Documents/Ways%20to%20Save%20Delmarva_2.20_ADAcomp.pdf. Chesapeake Utilities provides such tips at https://chpkgas.com/energy-efficiency/energy-efficiency-tips/.
Additionally, low-income Delawareans who are in need of financial assistance to meet their home energy costs may be eligible for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a program administered jointly by the Delaware Division of State Service Centers (DSCC) and Catholic Charities, Inc. Beginning October 1st through March 31st, eligible households can apply to receive grants to help pay for fuel assistance for home heating, which includes electricity, natural gas, kerosene, propane, coal, or wood. Grants are made to both homeowners and renters.
There is also crisis assistance funding available to help households in crisis during the winter months. Income eligibility for LIHEAP is defined as 200% of the federal poverty level. For more information on LIHEAP or to apply, click here.
If you been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Delaware Housing Assistance Program (DEHAP) may be able to assist you with Utility Bill Relief Funding available for utility and fuel bill payments. Potential clients should contact the Delaware State Housing Authority for more information once the program reopens in October.
The Division of the Public Advocate advocates for the lowest reasonable rates, principally on behalf of residential and small commercial consumers, consistent with the maintenance of adequate utility service and consistent with an equitable distribution of rates among all classes of consumers.
The Delaware Public Service Commission was established to provide oversight of investor-owned public utilities in the State of Delaware. The Commission works to ensure safe, reliable, and reasonably priced electric, natural gas, water, and wastewater services. The Commission also has limited regulatory authority over telephone and cable television rates and services.
Related Topics: Andrew Slater, Division of the Public Advocate, financial assistance, Matthew Hartigan, Natural Gas prices, Public Service Commission, utility assistance, Winter Heating season
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
Department of State | Division of the Public Advocate | Featured Posts | News | Public Service Commission | Date Posted: Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Dover, Del.—Natural gas prices have continued to increase this year and are up nearly 60 percent year to date. This is largely due to increased U.S. demand and the ongoing energy crisis in Europe.
According to the Energy Information Administration, about 42 percent of Delaware households rely on natural gas for home heating.
“Due to the increase in wholesale natural gas prices, customers will see a significant increase in their bills during the winter months,” said Delaware Public Advocate Andrew Slater. “However, there are ways to reduce your usage and keep utility bills reasonable. Energy utility bills are some of the only bills where the amount owed is dependent on usage.”
Delmarva Power recently filed changes to its Gas Cost Rate (GCR), PSC Docket No. 22-0726, reflecting an increase in costs for residential customers of more than 48 percent. According to its filing, a typical residential customer using 83 CCF in a winter month would see an increase of more than $25. These rates become effective November 1, 2022, subject to refund, while the rates are reviewed by both the Division of the Public Advocate and Public Service Commission Staff.
“Many energy conservation ideas are inexpensive and easy to implement. A few small steps can make a big difference in monthly bills. In addition to helping customers save money, energy conservation is also good for the environment,” said PSC Executive Director Matt Hartigan.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating accounts for the biggest portion of consumers’ utility bills. Savings tips include turning your thermostat down a few degrees, replacing dirty furnace filters, weather stripping doors and windows, opening shades on sunny days, and closing vents and doors of unoccupied areas.
Delawareans can contact Energize Delaware about its Home Performance with Energy Star, Home Energy Counseling and Check-Up programs. These programs are designed to find areas that may need weatherization and could potentially produce savings.
For additional tips on lowering your gas bill, please contact your local utility. Delmarva Power provides such tips at https://www.delmarva.com/Documents/Ways%20to%20Save%20Delmarva_2.20_ADAcomp.pdf. Chesapeake Utilities provides such tips at https://chpkgas.com/energy-efficiency/energy-efficiency-tips/.
Additionally, low-income Delawareans who are in need of financial assistance to meet their home energy costs may be eligible for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a program administered jointly by the Delaware Division of State Service Centers (DSCC) and Catholic Charities, Inc. Beginning October 1st through March 31st, eligible households can apply to receive grants to help pay for fuel assistance for home heating, which includes electricity, natural gas, kerosene, propane, coal, or wood. Grants are made to both homeowners and renters.
There is also crisis assistance funding available to help households in crisis during the winter months. Income eligibility for LIHEAP is defined as 200% of the federal poverty level. For more information on LIHEAP or to apply, click here.
If you been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Delaware Housing Assistance Program (DEHAP) may be able to assist you with Utility Bill Relief Funding available for utility and fuel bill payments. Potential clients should contact the Delaware State Housing Authority for more information once the program reopens in October.
The Division of the Public Advocate advocates for the lowest reasonable rates, principally on behalf of residential and small commercial consumers, consistent with the maintenance of adequate utility service and consistent with an equitable distribution of rates among all classes of consumers.
The Delaware Public Service Commission was established to provide oversight of investor-owned public utilities in the State of Delaware. The Commission works to ensure safe, reliable, and reasonably priced electric, natural gas, water, and wastewater services. The Commission also has limited regulatory authority over telephone and cable television rates and services.
Related Topics: Andrew Slater, Division of the Public Advocate, financial assistance, Matthew Hartigan, Natural Gas prices, Public Service Commission, utility assistance, Winter Heating season
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
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