FERC Agrees with Governor Markell: Artificial Island Cost Allocation to Delaware Not "Just and Reasonable"

Press Release

In a ruling favoring Delaware residents and businesses, late Tuesday the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) concluded that power grid manager PJM's plans to impose on Delaware residents the cost of constructing a more than $100 million transmission line from the nuclear facilities at Artificial Island across the Delaware River "have not been shown to be just and reasonable, and may be unjust, unreasonable, or unduly discriminatory or preferential."

"This FERC decision is an important first step to protect Delawareans from a significant electric rate increase," said Governor Jack Markell, who opposed PJM's plan to force Delaware residents to bear unreasonably high costs for a power line project that mainly benefits businesses and consumers in other states.

"I want to thank the FERC for its review and very sensible conclusion that the costs of a project designed to maximize power production and improve reliability in New Jersey should not fall entirely on Delaware and Maryland consumers. I also want to thank the Delaware Public Service Commission's members and staff and the Delaware Public Advocate for their efforts to reduce the costs that might have been imposed on Delawareans.

"This issue is not over. FERC's staff will be conducting a technical conference to develop an alternative, and I look forward working with FERC and Delaware's utility regulators on a more just sharing of these costs."

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