Wilmington committee forwards resolution urging state review of third‑party electric suppliers and the Public Service Commission

Council Member Shanae Darby introduced a resolution at the Wilmington City Council Intergovernmental Committee meeting on March 5, 2025, asking the Delaware General Assembly to review constituent complaints about high electricity rates, third‑party electric suppliers and the oversight role of the Delaware Public Service Commission.

Darby said the resolution grew from a prior committee briefing in which representatives from Delmarva, the Public Advocate and the Delaware Public Service Commission addressed high bills. She described third‑party supplier practices that concern constituents: promotional low rates that may last a short period (she used “let's just go with 90 days” as an example), after which customers may be shifted to variable rates that can exceed the utility’s standard rates. Darby said the city should “really take a deep dive into third party supply agreements and really look at what the impact they're having and look at the rates,” adding that affected consumers are “mostly probably seniors, who are getting ripped off and scammed.”

Darby told colleagues she has been discussing possible state legislation with state representatives to provide immediate relief and long‑term solutions. Council Member Willower asked whether the new resolution was a replacement for a separate resolution introduced last month about Delmarva shutoffs; Darby replied, “No. This is the second, resolution.”

Darby explained that resolutions do not require committee votes and that the committee would forward the item for possible consideration by the full City Council at a future meeting; the chair did not set a date. The committee did not take a formal vote on the resolution at the March 5 meeting.

Darby framed key concerns as: weak ongoing oversight of certified third‑party suppliers, the absence of a robust recertification or checks‑and‑balances process, and the consumer harm of short promotional terms followed by variable rates. She said she is working with state legislators on different packages aimed at immediate relief and long‑term sustainability.

The committee closed public comment and agreed to place the resolution on a future Wilmington City Council agenda so the full council can decide whether to adopt it or take further action.