CONNELLSVILLE, PA – Today, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis hosted a roundtable discussion in Fayette County to focus on rising energy costs and highlight how the Shapiro-Davis Administration is protecting consumers, accelerating responsible energy development and positioning Pennsylvania to build more power faster, while keeping costs down.
“The Shapiro-Davis Administration is pursuing an ‘all of the above’ strategy that will create jobs and bring electric costs down by producing more energy,” said Davis. “We’re also pushing back when utility companies and the electric grid managers have tried to gouge Pennsylvania consumers. Working families, seniors and businesses need relief from skyrocketing costs, and the Shapiro-Davis Administration is working to put more money back into their pockets.”
At the roundtable, the state Department of Human Services (DHS), which administers the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and Dollar Energy Fund, which provides utility assistance grants, discussed the need facing families across the Commonwealth.
"LIHEAP helps hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians heat their homes and keep themselves and their families warm through the winter by providing cash and crisis grants directly to the eligible household’s utility company or heating fuel provider,” said Jody Rose, representing DHS’s Office of Income Maintenance. “Even in spring, past-due bills and emergencies may still be financially destabilizing. If you are still having trouble paying your heating bills, please apply by May 8 so LIHEAP can help ease this burden.”
“As rising everyday living expenses and utility costs continue to squeeze the monthly budgets of Pennsylvanians, the need for assistance has never been greater,” said Dollar Energy Fund CEO Chad Quinn. “Lowering costs and making energy more affordable is vitally important, and by expanding energy development, prices will decrease. Dollar Energy Fund remains committed to ensuring no household is left without essential services due to an inability to pay.”
Representatives from the building trades and mine workers addressed how union workers can be part of the solution when it comes to producing more energy and bringing costs down.
“As of April 17, we got notice that both the ARCH2 [Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub] and MACH2 [Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub] would be put back online,” said Michael Ford, secretary-treasurer of the Pennsylvania Building Trades & Construction Council. “Those two hubs would probably create about 10,000 jobs, just to build those two hubs. Also, the good thing about hydrogen is that it helps with climate change.”
“This next generation of energy workers is going to have an opportunity to change things – to stop the downfall of these communities in Appalachia,” said Chuck Knisell, International District 2 vice president, United Mine Workers of America. “The miners we have now are prepared and ready to move forward into the future with this ‘all of the above’ energy plan.”
The Shapiro-Davis Administration’s energy plan would provide funding for new projects through an updated Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) manufacturing tax credit, streamline energy project approvals by creating a state energy siting board to cut red tape and encourage communities to lower utility bills through shared energy resources. Additionally, the plan increases rebates for energy-efficient appliances to help reduce household energy costs.
"Energy efficiency actions remain the very best first defense against rising prices, and a proven return on investment,” said Jeaneen Zappa, executive director of the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance. "We're excited to accelerate the solutions already available today to reduce peak demand on the grid. Options like battery storage, virtual power plants, demand-response programs, and time-of-use-rates -- these all empower consumers and business owners with more control and choice."
In addition, the Shapiro-Davis Administration is aggressively pursuing relief for utility consumers that are struggling with rising energy costs right now.
Earlier this month, Governor Josh Shapiro announced that PECO, Pennsylvania’s largest utility company, will withdraw a recent proposed rate case before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) that would have increased electricity and natural gas bills for customers across southeastern Pennsylvania. The action will prevent unreasonable price increases for 1.7 million Pennsylvanians, saving them $510 million on their utility bills.
In February, the Governor secured an extension of his price cap through PJM Interconnection through 2030 — a move that will save 67 million Americans an additional $27 billion on their energy bills. Combined with prior savings secured through his earlier legal action against PJM and settlement, the Governor’s price cap has now delivered $45 billion in total savings for PJM customers — including an estimated $806 back for the average Pennsylvania household over the next four years.
Lt. Governor Davis’ “Putting More Money Back in Your Pockets” tour kicked off with a stop in Montgomery County and one in Luzerne County earlier this month and will include stops in Carbon and Adams counties, connecting residents with resources and highlighting the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s ongoing efforts to cut taxes, lower costs, and grow the economy.
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis at today’s roundtable.