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House Bill 233 Helps Protect You From Bigger Utility Costs
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Delaware seniors are paying close attention to their monthly electric bills — because for many people on fixed incomes, every dollar matters.
As an AARP volunteer, I support House Bill 233 because it recognizes a basic principle: residential utility customers should not be left holding the bag for the enormous energy demands created by large industrial users such as data centers.
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Data centers are large facilities that house thousands of computers to store, process and transmit data to power online services, web apps and artificial intelligence. Data centers use huge amounts of power around the clock, often as much as an entire city, and require significant water.
The pocketbooks of Delaware families are already strained with rising costs of food, healthcare and more. Utility bills should not become even less predictable because our system is unprepared for the rapid growth of high-demand energy users. HB 233 would help ensure that the infrastructure and energy costs associated with these facilities are assigned more fairly, rather than automatically being passed down to ordinary customers.
This issue is especially important for older adults. Many retirees carefully budget each month and have little flexibility when utility rates rise. Higher electric bills can quickly become a hardship during periods of extreme heat or cold when electricity is not optional.
Good economic development should benefit communities without creating hidden costs for residents. Everyday families shouldn’t be on the hook for data centers’ electricity bills. HB 233 helps protect consumers while allowing Delaware to plan responsibly for future energy needs.
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