Delaware Governor Jack Markell and Maryland Governor Larry Hogan are urging federal regulators to reconsider how much the two states contribute to a controversial $400 million energy project.
The Artificial Island project is designed to boost grid capacity to the region by laying a transmission line across the Delaware River from New Jersey to Delaware.
Delmarva Peninsula ratepayers are on the hook for 90 percent of the $400 million project, even though it’s estimated the region will only see 10 percent of the benefits.
Delaware and Maryland have been fighting what they call an unfair cost allocation. But the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission decided this April the allocation was fair.
The two states appealed that decision and now the commission has agreed to rehear the case.
This Wednesday the two governors joined together in a unified voice to publicly pressure the commission into reversing its previous decision.
“I think the cost allocation should be more representative of who is getting the benefits. That’s the bottom line. I’m not going to get into specific percentages, but it’s just the general principle that I think is appropriate and fair," Markell said.
The energy commission hasn’t set a date yet for the next hearing.
