DELAWARE - Delaware lawmakers wrapped up their 2025 legislative session Monday with a flurry of votes, including final passage of a bill that may set a precedent of government overreach.
Senate Bill 159, which overrides Sussex County’s denial of a permit for an offshore wind substation near Dagsboro, passed the House with a 25-15 vote. The measure is considered a key milestone for U.S. Wind to move forward with plans to build turbines off of the Maryland shore.
The project has sparked intense debate across Delaware, pitting supporters who point to renewable energy benefits against locals concerned about environmental impacts and community disruption.
"I definitely fall into like it's a clean source of domestically generated energy camp so I think it is great. I think any way we can diversify our energy portfolio is a good thing and I think offshore wind is a really exciting way that we can do that." said Maura Donovan, a frequent visitor of the beaches.
Sherry Long, Georgetown resident, previously told CoastTV her concerns with setting a precedent for future legislation.
"This isn't just a Sussex County issue and that's what everyone needs to understand. If you think that this is someone else's issues, someone else's problem, then the fact of the matter is you've misunderstood what the big picture is for this entire debacle that we are looking at at this moment which is Senate Bill 159."
With House approval now secured, the legislation moves to the governor’s desk for a signature.
If enacted, the bill clears one of the final regulatory hurdles for U.S. Wind to proceed with construction of the substation, which would serve as a critical link between offshore turbines and the regional power grid.
