Delaware Electric Cooperative seeks to negate rising temperatures

GREENWOOD — Just as sure as the weather is going to change, the challenge of maintaining an affordable electric bill is a certainty as well.

That’s the reality for the more than 116,000 members served by the Delaware Electric Cooperative in Kent and Sussex counties, generally in rural areas.

Electric rates, however, are forecast to remain stable this spring and summer, spokesperson Jeremy Tucker said.

Mr. Tucker pointed to a “comprehensive rate restructuring plan” that allowed a majority of co-op members to experience lower electric bills.

With that, CEO Rob Book said, “Our goal is to keep our energy costs as affordable as possible. With inflation impacting so many people over the past few years, we were proud to reduce monthly energy costs for most members this spring.

“While energy costs will continue to fluctuate, DEC is currently offering members the lowest electric rates in Kent and Sussex counties.”

There’s a lot to factor in when determining the cost of electricity “including the cost of fuel used to generate power, the cost to transmit energy onto Delmarva, the cost of materials and the cost to maintain a reliable electric distribution system,” Mr. Tucker said.

While the cost for electric remains consistent throughout the winter and summer, Mr. Tucker said, “demand for electricity fluctuates, with higher usage during summer months. DEC is a summer peaking utility, meaning our members use more electricity in the summer to cool their homes and businesses.”

Co-op members can take part in the voluntary Beat the Peak program which emphasizes reducing energy use when the cost to produce or purchase it is “very expensive,” Mr. Tucker said.

According to Mr. Tucker, the co-op “issues Beat the Peak alerts, asking members to reduce energy use if possible. By lowering energy use across our service territory, the co-op is able to lower its overall cost for power.

“As a not-for-profit utility, those savings are passed on to members in the form of affordable rates.”

The co-op, which has 187 employees, estimates that approximately 60,000 members participate in the program, Mr. Tucker said. It has saved members more than $42 million since 2008, he added.

Also, according to Mr. Tucker, an additional 8,000 members have downloaded the Beat the Peak app, which notifies them when it’s time to conserve.

Mr. Tucker said there are 156 members enrolled in the Beat the Peak with Electric Vehicles program, which reduces energy use by EV chargers during alert times.

In addition, he said 2,698 members are enrolled in the Beat the Peak with Thermostats program, which automatically adjusts thermostats by a few degrees during alert times.

More information is available at delaware.coop.