Apr. 04, 2024
FORD CITY — On Thursday, Rep. Abby Major (R-Armstrong/Westmoreland) and the House Republican Policy Committee, led by Chairman Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), convened the third in a series of hearings to discuss reliable and affordable energy for the people of Pennsylvania.
The hearing, “Balancing Your Budget and Thermostat: Consumer-Focused Energy Policy,” featured the following testifiers: Michael Butler, mid-Atlantic executive director, Consumer Energy Alliance; Deb Davis, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania manager, Universal Services; Scott Waitvertch, manager, government and public affairs, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania; and Pennsylvania residents Steve Craven and McKenna DeWitt.
For many years, utility companies, such as Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, have offered customer assistance programs to help those who cannot afford their bills, but it is not enough. DeWitt works 40-50 hours a week with a steady income. She turns on her lights for a couple of hours a day, and yet her utility bills equate to almost half of her monthly rent payment. “I shouldn't be asking for assistance,” she said. “Something is not right."
“I am hearing from constituents who cannot afford to pay their utility costs,” Major said. “It is important we listen to their stories, how the increased energy costs are negatively impacting their lives, and then take what we hear back to Harrisburg and develop commonsense energy policy.”
Currently, the Shapiro administration is overcomplicating energy policy, proposing plans that are anything but commonsense. The governor’s proposals would be detrimental to consumers’ wallets, jobs, environment and our national security. House Republicans have countered with a package of energy bills that would have a positive impact on all fronts.
“We have the answers in Pennsylvania,” said Kail. “Pennsylvania is positioned as an energy leader. We need to leverage our position, not stifle it. The world is a better place with Pennsylvania energy.”
To watch the complete hearing, click on the video below.