Lower Bucks Today

A group of state House Republicans in Pennsylvania has introduced a package of bills aimed at addressing energy affordability across the Commonwealth. The initiative is a response to what they describe as Governor Josh Shapiro's impact on Pennsylvanians' energy costs.

The legislative package consists of nine bills sponsored by Representatives Aaron Kaufer, Jonathan Fritz, Mike Cabell, Joe Hogan, Clint Owlett, Eric Nelson, Jim Struzzi, and Joe Hamm. The representatives expressed their concerns about high energy costs affecting household budgets: "Households across the Commonwealth experience the impacts of high energy costs, as some are forced to reduce spending on food, medicine or other necessities in order to heat their homes," they stated. "This is unacceptable, especially when rising prices are attributable to government regulations and policies."

Kaufer's bill proposes repurposing funds from Act 129 of 2008 for energy efficiency programs. Fritz suggests creating an Independent Energy Advocate within the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to evaluate DEP actions affecting Pennsylvania’s energy portfolio.

Cabell introduces a model similar to a 529 Plan or Health Savings Account for paying energy bills with pre-tax dollars. Hogan aims to adjust the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program to consider utility costs in relief calculations.

Owlett seeks to rename the Department of Environmental Protection as the Department of Energy and Environmental Services. Nelson's legislation would allow former energy facilities to become Keystone Opportunity Zones for redevelopment incentives.

Struzzi offers two bills: one establishing an independent agency overseeing state agency actions impacting the state's energy portfolio; another requiring analysis on how regulations affect communities vulnerable to energy poverty.

Hamm proposes Pennsylvania join a power-exporting consortium within PJM Interconnection, which coordinates electricity movement across several states and Washington D.C.

For further details on these proposals, interested parties can access additional information online.