After a 2 Hour Floor Discussion, SB 159 Passes in DE State Senate

The Delaware State Senate debated Senate Bill 159 for nearly two hours on the floor of the Senate. Local rule was a primary topic with Senator Brian Pettyjohn reminding the members that lawmakers in Dover pass statewide bills that affect everyone statewide and that the state should not pass this bill just to override a decision it disagrees with made by the Sussex County Council.

Senator Dave Wilson commented that once we start to lose local control – it’s lost and that state lawmakers should let the court render its decision which would be based on fact.

US Wind has appealed the decision made by the County Council – but there has not yet been a ruling from the Superior Court. Bill sponsor Senator Stephanie Hansen says that SB159 should be passed now because “delay is as deadly as denial” because depending on the Court’s finding, the measure could again return to Sussex County and the process start again causing more delay – while wind waits.

The Senate voted 15 to 5 with 1 absent to approve SB 159, which now awaits action in the State House.