The Delaware SHINES program, rolled out this week by the Meyer Administration, underwent the usual anti-renewables criticism.

Delaware SHINES is a program that will coordinate efforts to add more solar generation and battery backup through home rooftops, small-business installations, and community solar.

The biggest myth we continue to see is that solar arrays are gobbling up farmland. In Delaware and most states, solar accounts for less than 1% of state farmland. Exceeding the 1% mark may take years.

The other myth is the view that the state could quickly add more generation, perhaps by reopening the coal-fired Indian River power plant.

Even if the Indian River coal-fired plant rose from the dead, its output would do little to address dwindling electricity reserves. Ratepayers would also see their bills climb further, since we saw higher bills during a period before its closing when ratepayers subsidized the utility’s losses.

Perpetuating this myth is the continued promotion of legislation that would have provided tax incentives for the construction of natural gas plants. The bill died in committee, but should have received a full debate.

The bill might speed up planning, but the timeline for new gas plants is around 2030, even under the most optimistic forecasts.  Keyboard warriors largely ignore the fact that the backlog for gas turbines extends into 2031.

And, as noted on our site, the Indian River plant owner, NRG, is proposing a massive natural gas-fired plant there. The project made the first cut in an application process aimed at bringing new generation online by 2030. A far smaller gas plant at the Delaware City refinery also made the list.

Yet another myth is that natural gas plants will cut electric bills. Gas-fired plants coming online will be far more expensive than in the past, thanks to inflation, equipment backlogs, and the added risk of higher natural gas costs.

When all is said and done, Delaware SHINES  is about the only short-term option in dealing with high electric bills and adding generation. The Public Service Commission can trim Delmarva Power’s rate request, but even a substantial cut would only save a few dollars a month on electric bills. Then again, it’s election year.

It is disappointing that Delmarva Power has chosen to play hardball on rates this time, perhaps figuring it has nothing to lose. Click here for the latest update.

Delaware SHINES is a modest effort, to say the least, and it’s puzzling that the anti-solar faction can’t grasp that fact.

Have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend and take a moment to remember those who build America.- Doug Rainey, chief content officer.