DELAWAREÂ - Delaware lawmakers have passed senate bill 159 that could eventually allow US Wind to build a substation on the site of the former Indian River Power Plant, despite a prior denial by the Sussex County Council.
Senate Bill 159, approved in the final days of the legislative session, will require counties to approve conditional use permits for renewable energy substations located on unincorporated land if the facilities meet certain criteria. The measure, however with Senate Bill 199 passed. Senate Bill 159 will not take effect until 2026.
As part of the agreement, Republicans allowed the Bond Bill to move forward in exchange for a delayed implementation of the new substation law. This delay ensures that ongoing lawsuits filed by U.S. Wind against Sussex County can proceed without interference from the newly enacted policy, preserving the judiciary’s role in resolving the legal dispute.
"By doing so, the agreement protects the authority of Delaware's courts to decide the matter fairly and independently," Senate Republicans said in a statement.
The proposed offshore wind project has drawn mixed reactions from local residents. While some worry the turbines and related infrastructure could harm marine life, others support the initiative.
"I don't think it's going to affect anything other than it can help bring down the cost for electricity effectively for everybody," said local Jane Moore.
In a statement Tuesday, Nancy Sopko, Vice President of External Affairs for US Wind said this.
"We’re grateful to Governor Meyer, Senator Hansen, Representative Snyder-Hall and other legislative leaders for supporting SB 159, which demonstrates their understanding of the need to enact policies that help address the looming energy shortage and rising costs," Sopko said. "This bill helps eliminate unlawful and unnecessary hurdles to a project that will help ensure electric reliability for Delawareans while lowering the price they pay for electricity."
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