State Senator Gerald Hocker said on April 23 that the Democratic majority did not seriously consider SB 65, his bill to remove Delaware from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), and said Republicans would continue introducing legislation focused on energy costs, public safety, and education.
“Yesterday afternoon, the Senate Environment, Energy, and Transportation Committee ‘considered’ my legislation, Senate Bill 65, that would remove Delaware from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and, in turn, lower the cost of your electricity. I use the word ‘considered’ loosely as that really wasn’t what occurred. The chair of the committee was hellbent on driving her narrative and that of far-left environmental activist organizations rather than having an honest conversation about what is greatly increasing your monthly energy bills,” Hocker said in a Facebook post.
“Republicans in both the Senate and House of Representatives will continue fighting for you by introducing meaningful legislation to lower your energy bills, promote public safety, and better our education system,” he added.
SB 65 concerns Delaware’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a multi-state program that sets a regional cap on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and allows the trading of emissions allowances. Supporters of the bill argue that participation in RGGI contributes to higher compliance costs that are passed on to consumers, according to the bill summary published by the Delaware General Assembly.
During committee discussion of SB 65, Republican and Democratic lawmakers disagreed over hearing procedures, including limits on debate time and witness testimony, according to a transcript published by the 38th District Republican Club.
SB 65 was described as legislation aimed at addressing energy costs in an April 24 email update from Delaware Senate Republicans, which also raised concerns about the conduct of the committee hearing.
Hocker represents Delaware’s 20th Senate District and has served in the state senate since 2012 after previously serving in the House of Representatives from 2002 to 2012. He has been Senate Minority Leader since after the 2018 general elections and owns businesses in Clarksville, Ocean View, and Bethany Beach area.
