Find the Holiday Spirit Right Here in Our Community; Tips for Managing Winter Energy Bills

Rep. Danielle Friel Otten December 6, 2024 | 4:35 PM

PA Representative Danielle Otten banner image

Dear Neighbor,

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving and was able to spend some time surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones. It was nice to take a moment to relax during the Thanksgiving break. Although, here in the Otten household we were excited to quickly move on from fall and head straight into the holiday season. And it seems like a lot of the 155th Legislative District is ready, too!

This past weekend, we kicked off the holiday season by supporting some of the many unique and creative shops here in the district on Small Business Saturday. As a former small business owner, I know how important the holiday season is for retailers – and how important it is that we support our local small businesses. These businesses give our neighborhoods unique personality, help to build our community identity, and provide a living for local business owners, their employees, and their families – which helps all of us to thrive!

Additionally, the money we spend when we support small businesses is sticky – it stays right here in our community and contributes to a sustainable local economy. So, when you start your holiday shopping this year, please put the many wonderful small businesses right here in the 155th at the very top of your list!

Getting in the Holiday Spirit

The holiday season is in full swing and there are plenty of holiday events taking place in-and-around the 155th!

Tonight, December 6, at 6 PM is the Wallace Township Annual Tree Lighting. The tree lighting will take place at Wagenseller Park. This year's theme will be How the Grinch Stole the Annual Tree Lighting! Enjoy some Who-Pizza, get photos with Santa and the Grinch, and check out the Grinch's Workshop. Rain date will be Saturday 12/7 at 6pm.

This Sunday, December 8, is the Caln Township Tree Lighting. The Tree Lighting event will begin at 5 PM on the township building grounds and will include carols by the Coatesville Meistersingers, a performance by Shannon Cooper's Dance school, cookies and hot chocolate, provided by the Rotary Club of Thorndale-Downingtown, a bonfire with s'mores, tours of the Hexagonal Schoolhouse, and a visit from Santa! Additionally, there will be a toy collection benefitting Toys for Tots.

On Saturday, December 14, from 12 PM – 5:30 PM, Chester County Parks and Preservation will host Holiday at the Barn at Springton Manor Farm. This event will feature a full afternoon of family-friendly events, including a Holiday Craft Market in the Upper Great Barn (12 PM – 4 PM), Face Painting (12 PM – 4 PM), Children’s Candy Cande Hunt (1 PM), Pictures with Santa (12 PM – 4:30 PM), and the 3rd Annual Tree Lighting (Promptly at 5 PM with Santa). Also, kids can drop off their letters for Santa at Springton Farm’s special mailbox!

On Saturday, December 14, at 3 PM is the annual Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas Parade. The parade route starts in the west end of the borough at Gable Ave. and finishes in the east end at Whiteland Ave. There will be plenty of floats, bands, walking groups, dance groups, antique cards, firetrucks, and of course Santa!

On Sunday, December 29, at 4:30 PM, Chabad Lubavitch of Chester County will host Chanukah at the Chester County Courthouse. Stop by for the Firetruck Gelt Drop, donuts, latkes, hot cider, dreidels, music, and more! RSVP here.

Preparing for Winter Weather

During cold weather months, the cost of electricity can account for more than half of a typical customer bill*, so the price of that energy is very important. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is reminding customers that energy supply prices for all PUC regulated electric utilities will adjust beginning December 1.

To help manage winter energy bills, the PUC urges consumers to explore #SaveInPA tools like energy shopping, conservation tips, and energy assistance programs like LIHEAP.

PAPowerSwitch.com?is the PUC’s official electric shopping website. The site makes it easy for Pennsylvania consumers to find lower rates from competing suppliers, customize their energy plans, and make the switch to a new electricity provider, all in one stop.

Regardless of which energy supplier you choose, energy usage is a key factor in the size of winter energy bills. There are many ways that consumers can control that usage, conserve energy, and further lower their costs. Energy saving tips include:

Adjust your thermostat: Lowering it by 1° can save up to 3% on your energy bill.

Service your furnace: Clean filters and regular maintenance improve efficiency.

Seal and insulate: Prevent drafts with weatherproofing and insulation.

Optimize ceiling fans: Use clockwise rotation to circulate warm air.

Adjust your water heater: Lowering the temperature can reduce costs.

(*Electric bills have two primary components: the energy generation & supply charge, which is the portion you can shop and compare, and the delivery/distribution charge, which includes the costs of operation and maintenance of the poles, wires, and other infrastructure that delivers energy to your home or business. Delivery/distribution services are provided by your local utility, regardless of which energy supplier you choose, and charges are set by the PUC. Consumers may not shop for energy delivery/distribution services. These rates generally remain much more stable than energy supply prices.)

For more information, visit the PA PUC website.

Thank You for Supporting our Holiday Toy Drive

Over the past month, my office has been collecting donations for our Holiday Toy Drive benefiting Toys for Tots. Thank you to everyone who donated items to our drive! Thanks to the generosity of communities across Chester County and the hard work of the Toys for Tots volunteers, thousands of children throughout the county will receive gifts to brighten their holiday season.

If you have questions or would like to provide feedback on any legislative or state-related issue, please contact our district office at repotten@pahouse.net.

LIHEAP Applications are Now Available!

The application process for the annual Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now open!

LIHEAP provides help with home heating bills so that Pennsylvanians can stay warm and safe during the winter months. Assistance is available for both renters and homeowners.

For eligibility requirements and information on how to apply visit:?dhs.pa.gov/LIHEAP.

Pennie Open Enrollment Period

The Pennie Open Enrollment Period (OEP) will run from November 1, 2024, to January 15, 2025. During this period, individuals and families can enroll in health insurance plans, make changes to existing coverage, or renew their current plans.

Even if you are happy with your current health coverage, the plans and prices offered through Pennie change every year. Many Pennie customers qualify for additional savings, helping Pennsylvanians navigate the challenges of rising healthcare costs.

Visit Pennie.com to compare plans and find high-quality, low-cost health coverage that fits your needs and budget. If you recently lost coverage through Medicaid, Pennie may have options to help you stay covered with a quality health plan at low or even no cost to you.

All plans offered through Pennie cover preventative care, mental health services, and more. Learn more at pennie.com or call the Pennie Customer Line at 1-844-8040 for assistance.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Expansion in 2024

If you’ve applied for Property tax/Rent Rebate, keep an eye out for your check or direct deposit! The first rebate checks were mailed to eligible applicants beginning on July 1, and applications will continue to be processed through the December 31 application deadline. If you have not yet applied for your rebate, our office can help!

We fought and won last year to expand income limits and rebate amounts. Beginning this year, the PT/RR Program:

Raises the income limit to qualify for rebates to $45,000 for both homeowners and renters.

Ensures this income cap will keep pace with inflation.

Increases the maximum rebate from $650 to $1,000.

Simply put: More people are now eligible, and eligible individuals will receive more money back in your pocket!

The application deadline has been extended from June 30 to December 31, 2024, but the sooner you apply, the sooner you will receive your rebate!

For more information and how to apply, click here.

SEPTA Senior Key Cards and Card Renewals

If you have a SEPTA Senior Key Card that has expired or will expire within the next month, we can renew it in our district office. To renew your card before it expires, please stop by my district office, or call us to make an appointment.

My office can also process applications and take photos for new SEPTA Senior Key ID Cards, which allow seniors 65 and older to travel for free on all SEPTA Regional Rail and transit routes within Pennsylvania. Just stop by my district office and bring a form of ID with your date of birth on it, such as a PA driver’s license or non-driver ID, U.S. passport, or birth certificate. We’ll enter your information into SEPTA’s online system, take a quick photo, and then SEPTA will mail your new card to you directly.

2-1-1 Southeastern Pennsylvania: Health and Human Services

211 SEPA is part of the national 211 Call Centers initiative that seeks to provide health and human services for everyday needs and those in crisis situations.

2-1-1 works with county governments and provider agencies to ensure important local program information is easily accessible.

Visit 211sepa.org for more information.

Mental Health Resources: Call 9-8-8

Chester County residents experiencing mental-health-related crisis or distress can dial 9-8-8 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.?This system is designed to be a memorable and quick number that connects people in crisis to a trained mental health professional.

Chester County offers additional resources for those in crisis, including Chester County’s warm line, 1-866-846-2722, operated by Certified Peer Specialists, who are individuals in recovery with a lived experience of mental health challenges.

Chester County’s Teen Talk Line ensures seamless referral to Mobile Crisis for youth in need of immediate or higher-level support. The call line is 855-852-TEEN (8336), and the text line is 484-362-9515.

Visit the?Department of Human Services website for more information about the 988 system and other state and local mental health resources.

If you or someone you love is in crisis, please don’t give up hope, and please know that you do not need to walk this path alone. We are here and we will do whatever we can to help.

My staff and I are here to help make state government work better for you! For assistance with the above programs or any other state-related services, please email repotten@pahouse.net, call 484-200-8259, or visit my district office in Exton.

Please don’t hesitate to call, email, or contact us through my website and let us know how we can help!

Sincerely,