First State lawmakers continue their efforts to stall a costly Artificial Island energy transmission line project.
Gov. John Carney, the state’s General Assembly and its Congressional delegation are the latest to apply pressure on project manager PJM.
They joined the chorus asking PJM to back Delaware’s request for a rehearing on the cost structure of the $280 million transmission line.
Carney and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan sent a joint letter to PJM Thursday asking it to support a rehearing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and “immediately consider alternatives to the cost formula.”
Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester joined Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons in delivering a similar letter.
Meanwhile, the General Assembly suspended rules to pass a joint resolution in both chambers also asking PJM to back the rehearing. It passed both the House and Senate without opposition.
The transmission line flows from Artificial Island, New Jersey into Delaware, making the First State the main beneficiary under federal standards.
Delaware wants is a rehearing to argue the federal standard shouldn’t apply in this case because the line’s purpose is to boost regional stability, not meet First State energy demands.
Right now, Delaware is expected to pay 70 percent of the costs while receiving about 10 percent of the benefits.
The Delaware Public Service Commission and the Division of the Public Advocate sent letters earlier this week asking PJM to either support, or not oppose, Delaware’s request for a rehearing.
