DELAWARE STATE SENATE

150th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 10

APPLAUDING THE SUCCESS OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY PORTFOLIO STANDARDS ACT AND RECOGNIZING THE URGENT NEED TO UPDATE THE STANDARDS.

WHEREAS, the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards Act enacted by the 143 ^rd General Assembly established Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards for electricity suppliers in the State of Delaware; and

WHEREAS, the Standards were developed in order that electricity suppliers, their consumers, and the public at large might realize the benefits of electricity produced from renewable resources; and

WHEREAS, the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards Act was amended by the 149 ^th General Assembly to provide for a workable cost cap to protect Delmarva Power customers from sharp annual increases in their bills due to the cost of procuring renewable energy; and

WHEREAS, the benefits of electricity from renewable energy sources accrue to the public at large and have resulted in improved regional and local air quality, improved public health, increased electric supply diversity, increased protection against price volatility and supply disruption, improved transmission and distribution performance, and new economic development opportunities; and

WHEREAS, as of May 2016, the Compliance Act for 2016/2017 from Delmarva Power indicates that the goal of 10% total annual renewable electricity sales by the year 2019 had been surpassed; and

WHEREAS, the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards Act sets the current goal of 25% total annual renewable electricity sales by the year 2025; and

WHEREAS, 2017 emissions of CO2 were 53% of 2005 emissions, a decline of 47%; and

WHEREAS, the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards continue to meet the needs of the citizens of Delaware and reflect the impact of climate change.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 150th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the successes and benefits of the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards Act are recognized as benefitting the citizens of Delaware;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that there is a commitment to updating the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards to ensure that they accurately reflect the current energy climate and needs of the State;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chairs of the Senate and House Energy Committees shall work with a broad group of interested stakeholders to study and to make recommendations to the General Assembly about updating the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards to ensure that all voices are heard and all views considered.

SYNOPSIS

This concurrent resolution applauds the success of the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards Act, recognizes the prospect that the standards might be raised to maintain currency in the today's energy climate, and authorizes the establishment of a working group of stakeholders to provide input into the process.

Author: Senator McDowell