Utilities
Delaware has several electric power providers. Conectiv and the Delaware Electrical Cooperative provide power to the majority of the state. The following communities also provide their own power at competitive rates, Dover, Lewes, Milford, Newark, New Castle Seaford, and Smryna.
Conectiv, is fast becoming a major regional provider of energy and energy-related products and other vital services to make homes and businesses run better, owes some of its success to being based in Delaware. Conectiv was formed as a result of the merger involving Delmarva Power & Light Company and Atlantic Energy, Inc.
Industrial Service Rates
| City | 150 KW | 60 MWH | 400 MWH |
Wilmington, Delaware |
$3,006 | $19,066 | $436,131 |
| Phoenix, Arizona | $3,146 | $18,954 | $423,514 |
| Sacramento, California | $4,346 | $37,809 | $624,818 |
| Washington, DC | 4,359 | $28,938 | $660,628 |
| Baltimore, Maryland | 3,658 | 23,767 | 516,736 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | 5,570 | 30,839 | 742,985 |
| Princeton, New Jersey | 3,859 | 22,744 | 529,818 |
| New York, New York | 5,057 | 22,744 | 529,818 |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 4,066 | 25,487 | 601,087 |
Two major utility corporations supply the State's natural gas service. Conectiv serves New Castle County north of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. Conectiv has continued to expand its high-pressure gas service lines and facilities to provide for the increasing number of natural gas customers in Delaware.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation serves natural gas to the area south of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company, a subsidiary of the Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, has a pipeline that extends from Pennsylvania through Delaware to Maryland.
Chesapeake serves natural gas to a growing number of customers in many of the municipalities south of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal.
Natural gas rates in Delaware are competitive with a number of other states and regions.
Average Commercial Natural Gas Prices, 2000
| State | Dollars per Thousand Cubic Feet |
| Delaware | 6.94 |
| Maryland | 7.92 |
| Massachusetts | 8.86 |
| District of Columbia | 8.81 |
| California | 7.58 |
| South Carolina | 7.92 |
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Delaware enjoys the benefits of a number of companies that supply a wide variety of LPG appliances, equipment, and gases. Most suppliers offer industrial, wholesale, and retail quantities, as well as bulk storage facilities. Delaware LPG suppliers have an excellent track record for cooperation with industries located in the State. The Delaware Economic Development Office can assist you in locating a supplier near your proposed facilities.
MODERN COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
Telephone Service
Local telephone service in Delaware is provided by Bell Atlantic-Delaware, Inc., a subsidiary of Bell Atlantic Corporation, a firm with approximately 40 million access lines serving New England and the mid-Atlantic states. As of this writing, the Delaware Public Service Commission has approved over twenty applications of other companies to provide local telephone service.
Long distance calling within Delaware and throughout the Greater Philadelphia area is available from Bell Atlantic-Delaware, as well as other carriers. In addition, the Company provides equal access to AT&T, MCI, Sprint, Cable and Wireless and other long distance companies for calling outside of the Delaware /Philadelphia area calling region. Bell Atlantic plans to offer in-region long distance service in 1999 and is currently providing long distance service in several states outside the Bell Atlantic service area.
Bell Atlantic-Delaware has spent $300 million during the past four years to assure that Delaware customers are served by leading edge telecommunications. The Company is an industry leader in its aggressive investment in state-of-the-art technology - digital switches, high-capacity fiber optic cables, and integrated network management systems. Bell Atlantic-Delaware's history of telecommunications landmarks include: first statewide 911 enhanced system; first state with all computer-controlled switching; first statewide equal access. Delaware has a telecommunications relay system for persons with hearing and speech disabilities that provides not only intrastate service, but also handles interstate and international calling on an ongoing basis. Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) service, which allows customers to send and receive voice, data and video over a standard phone line, is available statewide. ISDN applications include internet access, telecommuting, and local area network access. Interactive Video Distance Learning technology is now a Bell Atlantic tariffed offering in the state of Delaware. Currently there are 15 educational institutions active on the Distance Learning network. The Company has connected all Delaware public schools to a high capacity data network, SMDS (Switched Multi-megabyte Data Service), which enables students to access and transmit enormous amounts of information, such as information carried on the internet, very quickly.
Bell Atlantic-Delaware's investments have resulted in sophisticated cost effective voice and data service for Delaware customers. Broadband, high capacity data transport is available via survivable fiber optic loop facilities and electronics. Since the late 1980's, Bell Atlantic-Delaware has provided its services through a fiber optic network running the entire length of the state. In 1989, the Company installed a long distance facility hub that completely bypasses the existing network to serve large corporations where telecommunications services are critical to operations. Bell Atlantic-Delaware has SONET-based fiber rings in place and under construction in the State. This technology provides diversity, survivability and unlimited bandwidth capabilities. In addition, Bell Atlantic-Delaware has also built and continues to maintain a number of private fiber optic-based local area networks.
Cellular mobile phone service is currently available through a variety of firms. Bell Atlantic Mobile was the first to offer statewide cellular service with a coverage area that includes the entire state of Delaware plus the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area. Pager and answering services are also available throughout the State.
Solid Waste
The Delaware Solid Waste Authority provides solid waste disposal facilities in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties. No hazardous waste disposal facilities are available in the State; however, several firms are licensed to remove and transport hazardous waste from your site. The Delaware Economic Development Office can work with you in solving your hazardous waste disposal needs.
The Delaware Solid Waste Authority operates a voluntary drop-off recycling program. There are 122 drop-off centers located throughout the State. The centers accept glass, plastics, aluminum and tin cans, newspapers and batteries. Cardboard, motor oil and used oil filters are also accepted at selected sites.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control offers a waste minimization/technical assistance program for businesses. Delaware is also a sponsor of the Northeast Industrial Waste Exchange.
The services of numerous solid waste collectors are available to remove solid waste from your site. The cost of these services varies, depending on the location of the plant and disposal facility, the volume of waste, and the frequency of the service. The Delaware Economic Development Office staff can assist you in locating a waste removal company.
Sewer Systems
Sewer service is generally available in the incorporated areas of the State, in the more populous rural areas, and in several existing plant sites and industrial parks. On-site wastewater disposal facilities are required in areas not served by public sewers. The Division of Water Resources (DNREC) regulates sewage disposal. The Delaware Economic Development Office will assist you in dealing with these agencies.
The State has adequate surface and groundwater to meet the projected demand for fresh water. The northern portion of the State uses a combination of ground and surface water to satisfy demands; whereas, south of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, groundwater is used exclusively.
Northern Delaware obtains about two-thirds of its potable water supply from four streams and utilizes a large reservoir, Hoopes, for surface water storage. This part of the State, with its denser population, is largely serviced by private and public distribution systems. All of these systems are interconnected at strategic locations to enable the utilities to assist each other if necessary, thereby increasing the reliability of the water supply. A computer model of this interconnected system is used to simulate flow and pressure changes in the systems. A comprehensive, long-range water plan has also been adopted to guide management of the water resources and to insure adequate water supplies for future growth and development.
South of the C & D Canal, a number of streams and ponds are used for manufacturing or irrigation. Delaware is fortunate to have several aquifers capable of producing sufficient water to meet demands in this predominately rural portion of the state. Either individual wells, municipal systems, or private utilities provide water supply.
The State Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control regulates all ground and surface water withdrawals. The State Public Service Commission regulates private utility water rates. The Delaware Economic Development Office will assist you in your dealings with all federal, state, and local regulatory agencies in an effort to meet your proposed water needs.
