DOVER, Del. - Senate Bill 159 which could override a decision made by the Sussex County Council in 2024, has advanced from the Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee on Monday.
Locals took to the Senate floor Monday afternoon to oppose Senate Bill 159.
The bill is sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Hansen, the legislation take's back the State's authority to green light energy policy by providing retroactive approval of the conditional use permit for the U.S. Wind electrical substation which was previously denied by the Sussex County Council in 2024.
The legislation take's back the State's authority to green light energy policy by providing retroactive approval of the conditional use permit for the U.S. Wind electrical substation which was previously denied by the Sussex County Council in 2024.
Near the recently retired Indian River Power Plant is where U.S. Wind hoped to build a new electric substation for power cables from its offshore wind turbines.
That hope was shut down in a 4-1 vote by Sussex County Council in 2024.
"Agree or disagree with wind, the fact of the matter is Sussex County made the decision, and that decision needs to be respected," said John Cook who attended the hearing for SB 159.
However, Senate Bill 159 could override that vote.
The bill would require conditional land use applications be accepted for substations located on unincorporated land if the proposed facility meets a specific set of conditions.
The bill's advocates say it helps create clean energy which they say is needed.
However, people like Claire spoke at the hearing and tells CoastTV she feels this sets a dangerous precedent for future land use decisions.
"I think that is disrespectful and disregarding the County authority and local government. To me, it's an attack on God's beautiful creation overall," Claire shared.
The bill is retroactive, meaning any qualifying applications submitted since August 8, 2023 would be deemed approved, even if a County previously rejected them.
In a press release sent out Monday evening just before 8 p.m. the Delaware Senate Majority Caucus says a full Senate vote for Senate Bill 159 is planned for next week.