Latest news with #DeFrank
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
As electric prices rise, PUC offers tips to help take control of summer bill
Jun. 2—WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) this week reminded consumers about changes in electric generation prices — known as the Price to Compare (PTC) — for residential and small business customers across Pennsylvania. These new PTCs took effect on June 1, reflecting wholesale energy market conditions and seasonal shifts in electricity demand. The PTC is the price that utilities charge non-shopping customers for electric generation supply. This supply is procured in accordance with Commission-approved plans, but the generation portion of the electric bill is not directly set by the PUC and instead is driven by market factors. "While energy prices are rising, the biggest driver of your monthly bill is how much electricity you use — and in the summer, usage tends to go up with the heat," said PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank. "By planning now and paying closer attention to your daily usage, you can avoid surprises when your bill arrives. A few simple adjustments in how and when you use electricity can make a noticeable difference." Typical residential PTC increases among major utilities range between 5% and 16%, although some smaller utilities serving portions of northeastern and north-central Pennsylvania will see larger increases. These changes only affect customers who receive default service from their utility. Customers with competitive supplier contracts will continue paying the price in their agreement — but should remain aware of broader market conditions when evaluating future supply options. Recent increases in natural gas prices, along with higher capacity costs — payments made to ensure power availability during peak demand — are contributing to rising electricity generation prices. However, usage habits — influenced by weather, appliance efficiency and consumer behavior — remain the most direct way individuals can control their monthly costs. Shopping smart: Understand before you sign The PUC reminds consumers that while some competitive suppliers are offering rates below the PTC, these offers are typically short-term contracts lasting only three to six months. While they may provide savings over the summer, they require active management. "Short-term supply contracts can offer a quick benefit, but they also demand close attention," DeFrank said. "You must monitor your contract's end date, watch for renewal notices, and be ready to act — otherwise, you risk defaulting to a month-to-month variable rate with unpredictable pricing." Consumers are urged to use the Commission's official electric shopping tool at to compare supplier offers, review important contract terms, and learn more about energy conservation. Protecting yourself from misleading energy marketing With the summer season comes a surge in door-to-door and in-person energy sales activity. The PUC reminds consumers to remain vigilant and follow five simple steps to safeguard against deceptive marketing: —#CheckForID — Sales agents must wear a visible photo ID badge with the supplier name and a customer service number. —Know who you're talking to — Agents must clearly identify themselves and their supplier at the start of every interaction. —No false claims — Agents are prohibited from claiming to represent your local utility, the PUC or a government agency. —Avoid pressure tactics — You have the right to say no, end the conversation and request no further visits. —Use trusted tools — Visit for verified supplier offers, shopping guidance and energy-saving tips. DHS highlights proposal to expand Pennsylvania's child care workforce Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh this week discussed Gov. Josh Shapiro's 2025-26 budget proposal, which builds on efforts to make child care more affordable and expand and strengthen the child care workforce. "For our youngest Pennsylvanians, an early childhood education experience can shape their educational, social, and emotional development during their youngest years, providing a foundation that will reap benefits throughout their lives," Arkoosh said. "A thriving child care industry both supports this growth and allows parents to work and participate in our economy." Early learning and child care programs are an invaluable resource that foster educational and social development for our youngest Pennsylvanians. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, access to early childhood education improves performance in K-12 schooling, lowers health care costs and improves employment and earning prospects into adulthood. Child care programs also allow parents to work knowing their children are safe and cared for. The CDC also cites child care as a factor for increased parental employment and income, making this industry an essential cornerstone for a healthy, vibrant economy. Pennsylvania's child care system serves more than 300,000 children annually across the Commonwealth, including approximately 80,000 children who receive subsidies through the Child Care Works (CCW) Program, Pennsylvania's state and federally-funded child care program that helps low-income families pay their child care fees. However, providers are struggling to hire and retain staff. Pennsylvania estimates about 3,000 unfilled jobs in child care — if those jobs are filled, 25,000 more children in Pennsylvania could have access to child care and their parents would have the peace of mind that their kids are well taken care of so they can go to work. Child care centers also report increasing difficulty in filling positions due to low wages, and many are forced to close classrooms or limit enrollment. Without a competitive wage, it remains difficult to attract and retain qualified early child care educators. Learn about Child Care Works and find information on certified child care providers at Officials: Invest in public transit Shapiro and PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll this week joined transit leaders, local officials, and bus operators to highlight the importance of investing in mass transit to connect communities across the Commonwealth, create jobs and grow Pennsylvania's economy. The governor continues to advocate for his 2025 — 26 budget proposal, which includes $292 million in new mass transit funding next year, growing to $1.5 billion over the next five years. This is the first significant increase in state support for mass transit in more than a decade, benefiting 52 transit systems that serve nearly one million riders each day in rural, urban, and suburban communities across the Commonwealth. "Just like we repair and maintain the bridges in rural and suburban communities, we owe it to the Pennsylvanians who take mass transit to be there for them and their families too," Shapiro said. "Mass transit drives $5.4 billion in economic activity every year in Pennsylvania, and it enables businesses to affordably get their employees to offices and job site — it's well worth the investment in our budget." The Governor's proposal would not raise taxes. Instead, it would increase the portion of the Sales and Use Tax dedicated to public transit — from 7.68% to 9.43% — generating $292 million in new annual funding next year and more than $330 million annually by 2029 — 30. That investment will support transit systems across the Commonwealth. "Pennsylvania's economic growth relies on our ability to build out a transportation network that puts our tradespeople to work, strengthens our businesses, and improves Pennsylvanians' lives," Carroll said. "Transit is critical — 65% of fixed-route riders say they have no other option. Shared ride powers our economy, supports seniors' quality of life, and connects Pennsylvanians to opportunity, no matter where they live." Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
NTSB releases final report, recommendations after Pennsylvania chocolate factory explosion
WEST READING, Pa. (WHTM) — The National Transportation Safety Board released their final report this week on a deadly explosion at a Berks County chocolate factory in 2023. The explosion rocked the R.M. Palmer Company complex in West Reading on March 24, 2023. Seven employees of the company were killed, 10 people were injured, and Building 2 of the complex was leveled. Two other buildings were also severely damaged, the NTSB said. In total, $42 million in property damage was caused. The explosion was ruled accidental. PREVIOUS COVERAGE > Pennsylvania communities holding vigil to honor chocolate factory explosion victims In the final report, investigators say the probable cause was likely a retired plastic natural gas service line and an adjacent steam pipe leak. The retired line was a stub that remained connected to the gas main. Prior to the explosion, several employees reported smelling gas, but few evacuated. The NTSB issued numerous recommendations, including that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) require employers serviced by natural gas to implement emergency procedures. They also want Pennsylvania to require pipelines transporting steam and other high-temperature materials in public rights of way to register with PA One Call. Also recommended is the installation of natural gas alarms in facilities serviced by the utility. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is also being requested to respond to a formal safety recommendation relating to the placement of emergency valves on natural gas distribution systems. 'We value the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing conversation about these safety recommendations,' PUC Chairman Stephen DeFrank said. 'The collaboration between the PUC and NTSB helps strengthen our utility systems and better protect communities across the Commonwealth.' 'From accelerated pipe replacement and advanced leak detection to stronger communication protocols, every step we take is aimed at reducing risk,' DeFrank adds. 'The most meaningful way we can honor those lost in West Reading – and in other tragic incidents – is by building a safer future.' Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices The Common Ground Alliance, which focuses on damage prevention related to underground facilities like natural gas pipelines, applauded the NTSB's recommendations. 'The long-awaited recommendations stemming from this catastrophic incident bring to light the dangers of not prioritizing underground utility line safety,' CGA President Sarah Magruder Lyle, said. This tragic incident is a reminder that everyone dealing with the transport of hazardous materials underground must work together to avoid another disaster. By recommending the widespread adoption of CGA Best Practice 3-26 on 811 center membership, the NTSB has affirmed the importance of improving damage prevention awareness and closing gaps in participation in the 811-before-you-dig process. In remembering the victims and their families, we hope that through common-sense best practices and comprehensive participation in the 811 process, lives and property will be saved.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pa. Public Utility Commission sets hearing on AI data centers' impacts on electricity
The Susquehanna Steam Electric Station is part of the Allegheny Electric Cooperative Inc. (Photo via U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission) Data centers used for artificial intelligence and other aspects of the online world are likely to have a significant impact on Pennsylvania's energy economy in coming years, according to the head of the state Public Utility Commission. The PUC unanimously approved Chairperson Stephen DeFrank's motion Thursday to hold a hearing April 24 on how to protect consumers, while harnessing the opportunities for economic growth, technological advancement, electricity market stability and bolstering national security. 'Balancing concerns like these is one of the primary mandates of the commission,' DeFrank said in the motion, adding that it would be required to provide non-discriminatory access to public utilities, while guarding against undue burdens and costs for existing customers and risk to electric utilities. At least two large data center projects are in the works that have the potential to affect Pennsylvania's electrical grid. Constellation Energy announced in September a $1.6 billion investment to restart its nuclear power plant at Three Mile Island in Dauphin County. The deal wouldprovide carbon-free electricity to supply power for software giant Microsoft's AI data centers in the region. This month, Amazon Web Services announced the $650 million purchase of a data center with 1,200 acres of land adjacent to the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station nuclear power plant near Berwick, Luzerne County. AWS plans to build a data center campus that would consume as much energy as 900,000 homes. Jon Gordon, wholesale markets manager for Advanced Energy United, an association of clean energy providers, told the Capital-Star the prospect of many large data centers being located in a region introduces new variables into the economy. 'Forecasting energy demand used to be relatively straightforward. Demand grew in a straight line with economic activity,' he said. The demand from data centers could affect electricity supply and reliability when added to already increased demand from electric vehicles and heating, the retirement of fossil-fuel generating stations, the push to increase the amount of carbon-neutral energy being used, and delays in getting clean energy generation on line, Gordon said. 'We don't know how speculative these projects are and how many are actually going to come online,' he said. 'In the energy industry, we need to figure out which ones are actually going to get built.' DeFrank noted such projects may require upgrades to electrical distribution systems to connect to the grid. The PUC must ensure that if utilities pay for improvements to serve projects that ultimately do not materialize that current ratepayers are not left with the bill. 'In such cases, questions may arise about who will ultimately bear these stranded costs. Providing certainty may mean requiring deposits or other finance security, minimum contract terms, or some sort of breakage or termination fee for loads that decide not to proceed with construction,' DeFrank's motion said. The PUC also needs to provide large electricity users with certainty regarding how long it will take and how much it will cost to connect to the grid. Users willing to pay for and build system upgrades may be able to connect faster. But utilities may take a conservative approach to large projects, DeFrank said. Next month's hearing will be in Harrisburg and include panels representing electricity distribution companies, industrial customers and advocates.
