Delaware City Council approves retail electric aggregation deal, removes renewable default

Delaware City Council on April 7 approved Ordinance 25-20, authorizing the city manager to execute a 12-month competitive retail electric aggregation contract with Dyna G Energy Services LLC and striking language that would have made a renewable-energy product the default option for city residents. The ordinance was passed as an emergency measure and took effect immediately after the unanimous vote.

The council’s action follows public comment from David Carpenter of Sustainable Delaware, who urged the council to keep the renewable option as the default and asked the city to better inform customers about the small annual cost difference. "We do the best we can to educate the public about how little extra cost there is to choose that option," Carpenter said during the meeting, estimating an illustrative extra cost of about $12 a year for a typical customer.

City staff told council the agreement is time-sensitive because the current contracted rates expire in June and the city must secure a new supplier before that deadline. Staff and a market representative reported recent short-term downward movement in wholesale prices; council was told that a 12-month term would allow the city to reassess options when market conditions change.

Council members moved in sequence to (1) amend Ordinance 25-20 to remove the renewable-default language, (2) suspend the three-reading requirement, (3) approve the emergency clause, and (4) adopt the ordinance as amended. The motions were made and seconded as recorded below and each passed on roll call.

Votes at a glance (Ordinance 25-20): - Motion to amend ordinance to strike renewable requirement: Moved by Vice Mayor Schaefer; second by Ms. Fraser. Roll call: Haynes — yes; Hoffman — yes; Fraser — yes; Vice Mayor Schaefer — yes; Mayor Bridal — yes. Outcome: approved. - Motion to suspend rules requiring three readings: Moved by Vice Mayor Schaefer; second by Ms. Fraser. Roll call: Haynes — yes; Hoffman — yes; Fraser — yes; Vice Mayor Schaefer — yes; Mayor Bridal — yes. Outcome: approved. - Motion to approve emergency clause: Moved by Vice Mayor Schaefer; second by Ms. Fraser. Roll call: Haynes — yes; Hoffman — yes; Fraser — yes; Vice Mayor Schaefer — yes; Mayor Bridal — yes. Outcome: approved. - Motion to approve Ordinance 25-20 as amended: Moved by Vice Mayor Schaefer; second by Ms. Fraser. Roll call: Haynes — yes; Hoffman — yes; Fraser — yes; Vice Mayor Schaefer — yes; Mayor Bridal — yes. Outcome: adopted.

Why it matters: The ordinance restores the city’s retail aggregation purchasing authority under a short-term contract and removes the automatic enrollment into a renewable-energy product. That preserves the city manager’s ability to secure rates before the current contract expires while leaving room for future decisions about whether to make renewables the default.

Council discussion and next steps: Staff said the 12-month term allows the city to monitor market movement and consider renewable options again at renewal. Public commenters and Sustainable Delaware urged continued outreach so residents understand the cost difference and can opt in to renewable products. City staff agreed to provide clearer customer notices and suggested using the city website and utility bills to explain options and opt-out procedures.

Authorities and documents: The ordinance on its face was presented as “Ordinance 25-20, an ordinance authorizing the city manager to sign and enter into an agreement with Dyna G Energy Services LLC for competitive retail electric aggregation service” and was adopted as amended and declared an emergency measure.

Ending: Councilors said the contract will be revisited at the end of the 12-month term and that staff will monitor market prices and outreach effectiveness during that period.