Lewes BPW approves electric rate hike

The Lewes Board of Public Works unanimously approved a 10.14% increase in electric rates at its April 24 meeting.

Kim Bellere, BPW finance manager, said the average ratepayer will see an $11 increase in monthly bills starting in June.

She said average commercial customers will pay about $28 more per month. Industrial customers will pay $700 more per month on average.

“We reevaluate our rates every year. Our rates had been low, hence why a lot of deferred maintenance happened over prior years,” said Tom Panetta, BPW president.

Bellere said the actual amount of the increase to BPW will be $540,000, through December. 

Panetta said the increase is needed because of a shortfall in capacity, which was caused, in part, by the closure of the Indian River Power Plant in 2022.