Delmarva tells Delaware lawmakers winter usage drove most bill increases; company offers temporary relief

Summary

Delmarva Power told a Senate committee that an unusually cold January and increased household usage — not new line items — were the primary drivers of recent spikes in customer bills, and announced short‑term customer relief measures including suspended disconnections and longer repayment plans.

Delmarva Power told the Senate Environment, Energy and Transportation Committee on Feb. 14 that unusually cold weather and higher customer usage were the primary drivers of the large residential bills that prompted the hearing. Philip Vavila, regional president for Delmarva Power, said Delmarva’s review of customer bills found usage — not newly added charges — accounted for the bulk of recent month‑to‑month increases.

Vavila said, “there are no new charges on the bill.” He told legislators the company redesigned its bill last November to break out supply and delivery so customers could see how much usage, delivery, taxes and program charges each contributed to the total. The company showed an example in which roughly 90% of the month‑over‑month increase was usage driven while rate changes made a much smaller contribution.

The nut graf: Lawmakers and residents came to the committee…

Delmarva tells Delaware lawmakers winter usage drove most bill increases; company offers temporary relief

Summary

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