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Delaware Public Service Commission
| Delaware Public Service Commission | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $122,782 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $4,189,100 |
| Total Seats: | 5 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 5 years |
| Authority: | Delaware Code, 26-1-103 |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by governor |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
| Joann Conaway, Kim Drexler, Harold Gray, Mike Karia, Dallas Winslow | |
| Other Delaware Executive Offices | |
| Governor•Lieutenant Governor•Secretary of State•Attorney General•Treasurer•Auditor•Secretary of Education•Agriculture Secretary•Insurance Commissioner•Natural Resources Secretary•Labor Secretary•Public Service Commission | |
The Delaware Public Service Commission is a state executive position in the Delaware state government. The commission, composed of five part-time appointed commissioners, is a quasi-judicial, quasi-executive agency responsible for regulating the state's public utilities.[1]
Current officeholders
The current officeholders are:
- Joann Conaway (nonpartisan)
- Kim Drexler (nonpartisan)
- Harold Gray (nonpartisan)
- Mike Karia (nonpartisan)
- Dallas Winslow (nonpartisan)
Authority
The commission's authority is established by state law.[2]
Delaware Code, 26-1-103
| (a) The Public Service Commission is continued except that it shall consist of only 5 members, each of whom shall have been or shall be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by a majority of the members elected to the Senate. |
Qualifications
State law does not establish any particular qualifications for commissioners. However, it does require that no more than three commissioners be from the same political party. One commissioner must be a resident of the city of Wilmington, one a resident of New Castle County outside of Wilmington, one a resident of Kent County, one a resident of Sussex County, and one an at-large member from anywhere in the state.[2]
Delaware Code, 26-1-103
| (b) Not more than 3 of the members of the Commission shall be members of the same political party. One of the members shall be a resident of the City of Wilmington, 2 shall be residents of New Castle County outside of Wilmington, 1 shall be a resident of Kent County and 1 shall be a resident of Sussex County; provided, however, that beginning with the appointment of the member for a term of 5 years beginning as of May 1, 1976, and continuously thereafter, 1 of the members shall be a resident of the City of Wilmington, 1 shall be a resident of New Castle County outside of Wilmington, 1 shall be a resident of Kent County, 1 shall be a resident of Sussex County and 1 shall be a member at large who shall be a resident of this State. |
Appointments
Commissioners are appointed by the governor and must be confirmed by a majority vote of the state Senate. They serve five-year terms beginning May 1 of the year they were appointed.[2]
Term limits
- See also: State executives with term limits
There are no term limits associated with the office of public service commissioner.
Vacancies
If a vacancy occurs, the governor appoints a new officeholder with the consent of the state Senate.[2]
Delaware Code, 26-1-103
| (d) In case of a vacancy on the Commission for any reason other than expiration of the term of office, the Governor shall fill such vacancy for the unexpired term by and with the consent of a majority of the members elected to the Senate. |
Duties
Public service commissioners are responsible for regulating the state's public utilities -- that is, electric, gas, water and telecommunications companies. Commissioners are responsible for ensuring public safety, fair rates for service, and a competitive market environment. To that end, the commission holds public hearings at which stakeholders, including utilities, consumers, community activists, etc., may discuss proposed regulations. Commissioners serve on a part-time basis and are supported by a full-time professional staff.[1]
Divisions
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the Delaware Public Service Commission has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
State budget
- See also: Delaware state budget and finances
The budget for the Delaware Public Service Commission in the Fiscal Year 2025 was $4,189,100.[3]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
The commissioners' salaries are determined by law.
2023
In 2023, each commissioner received a salary of $122,782, according to the Council of State Governments.[4]
2022
In 2022, each commissioner received a salary of $112,233, according to the Council of State Governments.[5]
2021
In 2021, each commissioner received a salary of $110,733, according to the Council of State Governments.[6]
2020
In 2020, each commissioner received a salary of $110,733 according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
2019
In 2019, each commissioner received a salary of $109,733 according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2018
In 2018, each commissioner received a salary of $104,500 according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2017
In 2017, each commissioner received a salary of $104,500 according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2016
In 2016, each commissioner received a salary of $104,500 according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2015
In 2015, each commissioner received a salary of $104,500 according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2014
In 2014, each public service commissioner was paid an estimated $104,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2013
In 2013, each public service commissioner was paid an estimated $104,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2012
In 2012, each public service commissioner was paid an estimated $105,570 according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2010
In 2010, each public service commissioner was paid an estimated $90,920 according to the Council of State Governments.[16]
Historical officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Delaware Public Service Commission has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Delaware Public Service Commission. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact info
Address:
861 Silver Lake Boulevard
Cannon Building, Suite 100
Dover, DE 19904
Phone: (302) 736-7500
See also
| Delaware | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Delaware Public Service Commission, "About the Delaware Public Service Commission," accessed January 14, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Delaware Code, "26-1-103," accessed January 14, 2021
- ↑ Delaware General Assembly, "Senate Bill 325," accessed January 16, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 15, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2020," accessed January 14, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2019," accessed January 14, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2018," accessed January 14, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2017," accessed January 14, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed November 14, 2014
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2011 -- Table 4.11," accessed August 16, 2011
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2011 -- Table 4.11," accessed August 16, 2011
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2010 -- Table 4.11," accessed August 16, 2011
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