Chesapeake Utilities has a clear mission: to provide safe, reliable energy service to the customers who depend on us every day and support the communities we serve. When customers rely on natural gas to heat their homes, prepare meals or run their businesses, they should be able to trust that the energy they need will be there when they need it.

A new Delaware law will strengthen that commitment by improving the rules that protect underground utility infrastructure and reducing the risk of accidental damage that can lead to outages, safety concerns and unnecessary costs.

On July 13, Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer signed Senate Bill 275 (SB 275) into law, updating Delaware’s Underground Utility Damage Prevention and Safety Act for the first time in approximately 30 years. The legislation modernizes safety requirements and better protects the underground utility infrastructure that serves communities across the state.

Chesapeake Utilities played a key role in advancing the legislation through the Delaware General Assembly. Steve Baccino, director of government affairs, and Tyler Majchrzak, state affairs manager, worked closely with legislators and Delmarva811 leadership throughout the process. Jesse Sapp, damage prevention coordinator III and a member of the Delmarva811 executive committee, also provided testimony and served as an expert witness before the House Transportation Committee.

“SB 275 represents a major accomplishment for Delaware’s damage prevention community and a testament to the strong partnership among Delmarva811, utility operators and state policymakers,” Majchrzak said. “After decades without significant updates, Delaware now has a stronger, more modern framework that will improve safety, provide greater clarity for stakeholders and help protect critical underground infrastructure across the state.”

Why It Matters

Damage prevention is one of the most direct ways to protect customers. Accidental utility line strikes during excavation can interrupt service, create safety hazards and lead to costly repairs. Stronger prevention standards help keep people safe, help avoid service disruptions and help reduce costs that can ultimately affect customers.

Just as important, damage prevention is a community effort. Utilities, excavators, contractors, locators, policymakers and property owners all have a role to play in protecting the systems that serve homes, businesses and neighborhoods. When everyone follows safe digging practices, everyone benefits through greater safety, fewer service interruptions, more efficient work and more reliable energy service.

Key updates included in SB 275:

• Utility locators now have three business days, instead of two, to mark facilities or respond to locate requests.
• Locate tickets will expire after 12 business days, aligning Delaware with neighboring Maryland.
• Each Delaware locate ticket is limited to a work area extending no more than 1,320 continuous feet, improving accuracy and efficiency.
• Civil penalties for violations have increased, reinforcing safe excavation practices and compliance.

The law also updates language throughout the statute to reflect current technologies and industry practices, improving consistency and reducing confusion for utilities, contractors and locators.

Supporting Safe, Reliable Service

The passage of SB 275 reflects Chesapeake Utilities’ commitment to providing safe and reliable service to the customers and communities it serves. By helping advance this legislation, the Company is supporting stronger damage prevention efforts, improved public safety and the reliable delivery of essential energy services throughout Delaware.

For customers, the benefits are practical and important: fewer avoidable disruptions, safer communities, stronger protection for critical infrastructure and a more efficient system that helps reduce unnecessary repair costs. In other words, safe digging and stronger damage prevention help support lower bills, greater safety and energy that is there when customers need it.