Welcome to Delaware Electric Cooperative’s media resource page. Our Cooperative works hard to maintain an open dialogue with reporters and the community. Below are some resources which we hope will help you understand and cover DEC.
About Delaware Electric Cooperative:
In 1935, very few Delaware families had electric service. Our country was beginning to emerge from the devastating effects of the Great Depression and times were hard for everyone. During these difficult times a consensus formed among Delawareans that for rural residents to survive, electric service must be provided to farmers. Interested residents in Sussex County began exploring how the Rural Electrification Act could help their communities.
A meeting was held in 1935 for the purpose of establishing the Delaware Rural Electric Association. As a result of this meeting and the efforts of the incorporators, the Cooperative was organized and incorporated in 1936. The first lines were energized in March 1938 serving 223 members with 94 miles of line and one small substation in Greenwood. Today, we serve 84,000 members with over 6,876 miles of lines and 22 substations throughout Kent and Sussex counties. Our membership has swelled in recent years, although growth slowed as the economy faltered in 2008 and 2009.
Important Facts:
-We provide electric to 84,000 members in southern Delaware
-Co-op was founded in 1936
-We employ more than 130 people from Maryland and Delaware (Approx: 35 linemen)
-DEC offers the lowest electric rates in Delaware
- DEC currently has 23 service and bucket trucks that are deployed everyday throughout southern Delaware.
-Our service area covers most of the rural areas of Kent and Sussex Counties
Media Links and Resources:
Current Press Releases
Live Outage Map
How we Restore Power and Outage Safety
Energy Saving Tips
Energy Safety
DEC Facebook Page
DEC Youtube Channel
DEC Twitter Page
DEC Service Area Map
Photos for Publication:
Our Headquarters
“Beat the Peak” Indicator
Linemen Working During Hurricane Irene
Bucket Truck
Generic Photo of a Lineman Working
Reporters with questions about the Co-op should contact:
Jeremy Tucker
DEC Communications Manager
Office: 302-349-3162
Cell: 302-382- 4303