DE HCR11

Designates February 2025 as Energy Poverty Awareness Month in Delaware

Defines energy poverty as the lack of access to adequate, affordable, reliable, and safe essential energy services including heating, cooling, lighting, sanitation, and power for appliances and digital communication

Notes that nearly one-third of U.S. households report difficulty paying energy bills or adequately heating and cooling their homes, with low-income, minority, and rural households disproportionately affected

Identifies multiple measurement approaches for assessing energy poverty: energy burden (ratio of income to energy costs), hidden energy poverty (abnormally low consumption), inability to maintain thermal comfort, and arrears on energy bills

Encourages state agencies and community organizations to spread awareness, share prevention resources, and conduct outreach programs to assist energy-burdened communities