(1) Cost effective energy efficiency shall be considered as an energy supply source before any increase or expansion of traditional energy supplies; and

(2) Energy efficiency is among the least expensive ways to meet the growing energy demands of the State; and

(3) Providing affordable, reliable, and clean energy for all consumers in Delaware is in the public interest and will yield social, economic, and welfare benefits for generations to come; and

(4) The benefits of a strong focus on cost effective energy efficiency accrue to the public at large, and all electric and natural gas suppliers and consumers in Delaware share an obligation to develop a minimum level of these resources in the energy supply portfolio of the State.

(5) The benefits of cost effective energy efficiency include lowered consumer spending on energy, improved regional and local air quality, improved public health, increased electric supply diversity, increased protection against price volatility and supply disruption, improved transmission and distribution performance, and new economic development opportunities; and

(6) The Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) combines public funding sources and consumer savings with private sector funds and management skills to provide all Delaware energy users with assistance for all their energy efficiency and renewable energy needs;

(7) The SEU is a critical mechanism for achieving energy conservation and energy efficiency in the State; and

(8) Delivery rate structures for regulated natural gas and electric utilities shall be designed to avoid unnecessary impediments to the Energy Efficiency Resource Standards under this chapter.