26 Del. C. § 1020: Energy efficiency planning; loading order.

(a) Integrated resource plans (IRPs) filed with the Commission pursuant to § 1007 of this title shall include a detailed description of the energy efficiency activities of the utility. Electricity demand response programs shall be directly implemented by the utility. Demand-side management and other energy efficiency activities shall be implemented by the SEU (as defined in § 8059 of Title 29), in collaboration with the utility. The contributions of utility-implemented and SEU-implemented programs shall be considered in meeting the Energy Efficiency Resource Standards required under Chapter 15 of this title.

(b) In preparing the IRP, the utility shall first consider electricity demand response and demand-side management strategies for meeting base load and load growth needs and shall preferentially obtain electricity demand response resources through utility operated programs or demand-side management resources from the SEU or Weatherization Assistance Program, and cost-effective renewable energy resources before considering traditional fossil fuel-based electric supply services to meet their retail electricity supplier (as defined in § 352 of this title) obligations.