Delaware legislation · 153rd General Assembly
Delaware HB233: Utilities/Establish Separate Rate/Large Energy-Users
Status: Signed into law, August 26, 2026
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LARGE ENERGY USE FACILITIES.
What the bill says
An act to amend title 26 of the delaware code relating to large energy use facilities.
From the introduced text, June 30, 2025:
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LARGE ENERGY USE FACILITIES. WHEREAS, the proliferation of data centers is a direct response to the escalating demand for digital services, largely driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, the digitization of various industries, and the increasing reliance on cloud-based services; and WHEREAS, the rapid growth of data centers, particularly here in Delaware and other states also connected to the PJM grid, is significantly increasing electricity demand and poses a challenge to grid stability; and WHEREAS, data centers are energy-intensive by nature, operating continuously to ensure uninterrupted service with a single large facility consuming as much energy annually as approximately 350,000 to 400,000 electric vehicles, according to Forbes; and WHEREAS, states and utilities are implementing strategies, including infrastructure investments and diversifying energy sources, to address the rising energy needs of data centers; and WHEREAS, the costs associated with expanding energy infrastructure to support large-scale data centers may ultimately fall on ratepayers, prompting concerns about rising utility bills; and WHEREAS, the inevitable and costly upgrades to electric grid infrastructure demand timely action to ensure that the financial burden of increased energy consumption by large-load customers is not unfairly shifted onto residential and small businesses customers through rate increases. NOW, THEREFORE: Section 1. Amend Subchapter I, Chapter 1, Title 26 of …
Sponsors
- Frank Burns (D, 21) · primary sponsor
- Debra Heffernan (D, 6)
- Melissa Minor-Brown (D, 17)
- Stephanie Hansen (D, 10)
- Cyndie Romer (D, 25)
- Sophie Phillips (D, 18)
- Mara Gorman (D, 23)
- Rebecca Snyder-Hall (D, 14)
- Laura Sturgeon (D, 4)
Latest actions
- : HS 1 for HB 233 - Signed by Governor
- : HS 1 for HB 233 - Passed By House. Votes: 27 YES 8 NO 6 NOT VOTING
- : HS 1 for HB 233 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 15 YES 6 NO
- : HS 1 for HB 233 - - Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 NO
- : HS 1 for HB 233 - - Stricken in Senate
- : HS 1 for HB 233 - Reported Out of Committee (Environment, Energy & Transportation) in Senate with 2 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits
- : Substituted in House by HS 1 for HB 233
- : Substituted in House by HS 1 for HB 233
- : HS 1 for HB 233 - Assigned to Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee in Senate
- : HS 1 for HB 233 - Passed By House. Votes: 25 YES 9 NO 2 NOT VOTING 5 ABSENT
Votes
- Passed (SM) (July 1, 2026): 15 yea, 6 nay, passed
- Passed (SM) (July 1, 2026): 20 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Passed (SM) (July 1, 2026): 27 yea, 8 nay, passed
- Passed (SM) (June 17, 2026): 25 yea, 9 nay, passed
- Passed (SM) (June 17, 2026): 33 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Passed (SM) (June 17, 2026): 26 yea, 3 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB233?
- HB233 is a bill in the Delaware Legislature (153rd General Assembly): Utilities/Establish Separate Rate/Large Energy-Users.
- What does HB233 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend title 26 of the delaware code relating to large energy use facilities.
- What is the status of HB233?
- Signed into law as of August 26, 2026. Latest action: HS 1 for HB 233 - Signed by Governor (August 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB233?
- Frank Burns (D, 21), with 8 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB233?
- On the Delaware Legislature website: https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142655
Source: official Delaware record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.