AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATED TO UTILITY BILLING.
What changed between versions
New Section 1014A (Consolidated Billing) added with full definitions of consolidated billing, net crediting, subscriber, and subscription coordinator, plus detailed utility obligations including single-bill application, electronic remittance within 60 business days, and fee recovery mechanisms.
Consolidated billing requirement broadened from 'residential and small-to-mid-sized commercial subscribers' to all 'customer classes,' meaning larger commercial and industrial customers may also be covered.
New triennial certification requirement: every 3 years, community-owned energy generating facilities must certify in writing to the Public Service Commission that they meet low- to moderate-income eligibility criteria.
For facilities certified on or after September 2, 2026: at least 15% of kilowatt-hour output must be served to low- to moderate-income customers (at or below 350% federal poverty guidelines or 80% state median household income). For facilities certified on or before September 1, 2026: at least 15% of participants must be low-income (at or below 200% federal poverty guidelines or 60% state median household income).
Consolidated billing becomes the DEFAULT method for all community energy facilities with a Final Certificate issued on or after September 2, 2026, unless a subscriber elects otherwise.
Opt-out deadline for existing facilities (Final Certificate on or before September 1, 2026) to elect out of consolidated billing shortened from October 1, 2028 to September 1, 2027.
Implementation timeline added: Commission must adopt regulations by April 1, 2027; consolidated billing available to all community energy facilities no later than October 1, 2027; stakeholder working group report due to General Assembly by January 31, 2027.
Consumer protections added: no credit checks or upfront enrollment fees for residential subscribers; minimum savings rate of 10% for residential customers and 20% for income-qualified subscribers (for new facilities); existing facilities must provide a net discount.
Utility fee caps established: administrative/IT costs recoverable through a tariffed fee not exceeding 1% of subscriber bill credits; escrow fee for customer arrearage not to exceed 0.25%. Biennial Commission review of these fees required.
Multiple references to 'subscription coordinator' expanded to 'Community-owned energy generating facility or Subscription Coordinator' throughout the bill, clarifying that both entity types bear responsibility for managing customer subscriptions and complying with requirements.
Escrow fee language clarified to specify it applies to 'the value of the subscriber bill credits' rather than an undefined base.
