Facing a heatwave and soaring energy costs, Delaware residents are receiving financial assistance from Pepco Holdings and Energize Delaware. Pepco Holdings has established a $4.5 million Customer Relief Fund to help alleviate the burden of high electricity bills, while Energize Delaware is contributing $2 million to expand its HomeEnergy Check-Up & Counseling Program. This initiative comes after months of public concern regarding escalating bills following a significant increase in energy prices during the 2024 energy auction conducted by PJM Interconnection, which saw prices jump from $2 billion to $14 billion.

Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer recently announced the agreement between his office, Energize Delaware, and Pepco Holdings, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors. The Customer Relief Fund is expected to impact approximately 20,000 Delawareans, a fraction of the 312,000 electric accounts served by Delmarva Power. Tyler Anothony, President and CEO of Pepco Holdings, acknowledged the hardship many residents are facing, especially given the increased energy consumption driven by the extreme heat.

The HomeEnergy Check-Up & Counseling Program provides an additional layer of support, offering personalized energy-saving advice and potential savings of up to $190 through assessments of insulation, heating, and air conditioning systems. While the Customer Relief Fund is a one-time measure, discussions are ongoing to explore further ways to mitigate costs as energy supply prices remain volatile. The challenges stem from a combination of factors including the rapid expansion of electric vehicles and artificial intelligence, increasing demand and strain on the electric grid.

Meyer stated his commitment to exploring options for Delaware to generate more energy for businesses. Applications for the Customer Relief Fund will open in July. For more information, visit www.delmarva.com/my-account/customer-support/assistance-programs-de/customer-relief-fund.