House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee unanimously approves community solar bill

(Mar 19, 2024)

“We introduced community solar to bring home the many benefits – new jobs, new energy savings for residents, new economic opportunities for farmers and other landowners – while broadening the state’s energy portfolio,” Matzie said. “But we also drafted this legislation with an eye toward protecting consumers and ratepayers who don’t participate. I’m excited that the bill is headed for a House vote.” Read more

 

Matzie: Ambridge Area School District awarded more than $583,000 to promote safe, healthy learning environment

(Mar 15, 2024)

“We know a safe, supportive environment is essential for learning, but it takes resources and planning to create and maintain the kind of healthy, inclusive settings that give students and staff the peace of mind they need to focus and thrive. The new funding is going to allow school administrators to engage with families and the community and shape policies and programs that promote that kind of healthy environment.” Read more

 

Matzie: Aliquippa awarded $148,500 for planning support in transition from Act 47 status

(Mar 14, 2024)

“It took decades of work and collaboration and faith in our city, but together with support from the commonwealth and city leadership led by Mayor Dwan Walker, we had the resolve to do it, and we built back,” Matzie said. “The city strengthened infrastructure, paid off debt and shored up finances to get to a position where they can chart their own future. The project funding from DCED will help us develop long-range plans for the future and keep the city moving on a new, independent path.” Read more

 

Matzie touts governor’s new energy proposal

(Mar 13, 2024)

“The governor’s announcement highlights policies we have been promoting for some time, the key being an ‘all of the above’ approach when it comes to our energy mix. For me, the inclusion of emerging nuclear and fusion technology in the plan is essential and has been a key initiative I have long supported. " Read more

 

Matzie: Center Township, Rochester Borough awarded $33,000 to aid in police recruitment and training

(Mar 12, 2024)

“The funding is going to give our local departments more resources for officer recruitment and retention,” Matzie said. “More police on the beat means safer streets and communities, keeps individual officers safer and helps ease workload and burnout. It’s a smart investment that also benefits taxpayers.” Read more

 

House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee holds informational hearing on electric vehicle infrastructure

(Mar 08, 2024)

“Electric vehicle infrastructure is a hot topic, with federal money pouring in to help expand that infrastructure,” Matzie said. “Today, we heard from stakeholders regarding what kind of legislative guidance is needed and how things are progressing. " Read more

 

House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee hears testimony on mechanical insulation bill

(Mar 07, 2024)

“Mechanical insulation is a key component when you’re talking about energy conservation,” Matzie said. “This is a fairly simple bill that would create an opportunity to expand the use of mechanical insulation, and we think we’re finally in a position to get it across the finish line.”  Read more

 

Matzie to introduce legislation that would add lawmakers, education secretary as permanent voting members of PIAA executive board

(Feb 27, 2024)

“This legislation has been in the works for some time, but I felt the time was now – based on recent correspondence the PIAA sent on the premise of defending their indefensible competition formula," Matzie said. "In reality, the correspondence was a hit job on one school, my school, Aliquippa. It’s abundantly clear that the PIAA would prefer to double down rather than work toward a better system. Their current system is not working, and their evaluation process is, frankly, lazy.” Read more

 

Matzie Looks at Community Solar for Pennsylvania

(Feb 26, 2024)

Pa. state Rep. Rob Matzie, Chair of the House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee, held a public hearing to discuss Community Solar and its potential impact on residents, businesses and the environment as the state looks to expand its energy portfolio with more renewable energy. Read more

 

Matzie issues statement on DEP’s approval of PennEnergy permit to withdraw water from Big Sewickley Creek for fracking operations

(Feb 16, 2024)

“This has been an ongoing area of concern for my constituents, and a personal issue for me, going back many years," Matzie said. "This creek is a vital natural resource for fresh water in the area, is stocked with trout, supports a variety of wildlife nearby, and in some years, parts of the creek dry up during hot summer months. I understand that the department has regulations and guidelines to follow, but after speaking with hundreds of constituents who feel the same way, I am baffled by this decision.” Read more

 

Matzie announces nearly $234,000 in fire, EMS grants

(Feb 15, 2024)

“Our fire and EMS companies continue to struggle with tight budgets, demanding operating expenses and constant recruitment and retention issues,” Matzie said. “Securing this funding will help our departments ensure that the first responders who perform such critical work for our community have the equipment, training and facilities they need to stay safe.” Read more

 

Matzie: Nearly $750,000 awarded to bolster workforce training in Beaver County, region

(Feb 15, 2024)

“Securing this new funding will allow our region’s workforce training partners to attract more students to in-demand fields like advanced manufacturing and to provide more concentrated training in fields like electrical, mechanical maintenance and health care," Matzie said. Read more

 

House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee hears testimony on community solar bill

(Feb 15, 2024)

“Having an all-energy portfolio that isn’t reliant on a single source is important for PA’s energy independence and for ensuring that we continue to export energy now and in the decades to come," Matzie said. "But, as with all legislation we review, our committee is going to act deliberately and carefully, getting a dialogue moving and ensuring that any legislation we advance is crafted to protect PA consumers.” Read more

 

Matzie: $1.5M awarded to combat homelessness in Beaver County and region

(Feb 05, 2024)

AMBRIDGE, Feb. 5 – New funding of $1.5 million will bolster emergency housing and anti-homelessness resources in Beaver County and surrounding counties, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver, said the funding – awarded by the Department of Community and Economic Development under the Emergency Solutions Grant program – will support the work of regional agencies including the Community Development Program of Beaver County. “Securing this funding brings new resources to the fight against homelessness,” Matzie said. “Having a place to call home doesn’t just mean shelter – it means easier access to community resources like job training and other services that lead to employment and independence. “More dollars to Community Development means more resources flowing to our local nonprofits who are helping people get back on that path to self-sufficiency.” The grant was awarded to Lawrence County Social Services, which applied for the funding in partnership with the Community Development Program of Beaver County and 11 other community organizations to support emergency shelter services and operational support, homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing and street outreach in 13 western Pennsylvania counties. More about the funding is available here: Read more

 

Matzie applauds PUC proposals to enhance public notice and application review procedures for sale of water/wastewater systems

(Feb 02, 2024)

“I applaud Chairman DeFrank and the other commissioners for this action that, if adopted, will help to ease the burden on ratepayers in the aftermath of a water/wastewater sale,” Matzie said. “This is, without a doubt, a pro-consumer positive step in the right direction." Read more

 

Matzie marks one-year since the East Palestine crash by renewing call for state Senate to pass the bipartisan House Rail Safety Bill

(Feb 02, 2024)

State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver, said as the commonwealth marks one year since the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment that impacted Pennsylvania families, it is more important than ever to not wait for federal action and for the state Senate to pass the bipartisan Safer Rails, Safer Communities legislation the state House approved in June. Read more

 

State Rep. Rob Matzie's Winter 2024 Newsletter

(Jan 29, 2024)

Read state Rep. Rob Matzie's Winter 2024 newsletter online! Read more

 

Matzie Statement on the PIAA ruling against Aliquippa High School Football

(Jan 24, 2024)

State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver, issued the following statement after today’s decision by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association to deny an appeal from Aliquippa School District and force Aliquippa to compete in the 5A class next season. Read more

 

Matzie introduces bill to tackle problems with how schools are classified for athletic competition

(Jan 24, 2024)

"There is a dangerous flaw in PIAA’s [school competition classification] formula that they have been stubbornly unwilling to address," Matzie said. "When considering enrollment as part of the formula, schools that voluntarily play up in a higher classification are pigeonholed by the PIAA into that higher classification used for the formula – regardless of the school’s actual enrollment size . . . It’s a dangerous system that jeopardizes the health and safety of students in smaller schools that lack the numbers to field larger rosters or the finances to match athletic budgets." Read more

 

House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee hears testimony on Matzie bill to improve utility customer payment plans

(Jan 18, 2024)

“For 20 years, Chapter 14 has set the framework for consumer protection between a public utility and its customers, and the law has been a success,” Matzie said. “But as we address re-authorizing the law, we also need to examine how it can be improved to better meet the needs of consumers struggling to pay their utility bills." Read more

 

House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee unanimously approves community solar bill
Mar 19, 2024

Matzie: Ambridge Area School District awarded more than $583,000 to promote safe, healthy learning environment
Mar 15, 2024

Matzie: Aliquippa awarded $148,500 for planning support in transition from Act 47 status
Mar 14, 2024

Matzie touts governor’s new energy proposal
Mar 13, 2024

Matzie: Center Township, Rochester Borough awarded $33,000 to aid in police recruitment and training
Mar 12, 2024

House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee holds informational hearing on electric vehicle infrastructure
Mar 08, 2024

House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee hears testimony on mechanical insulation bill
Mar 07, 2024

Matzie to introduce legislation that would add lawmakers, education secretary as permanent voting members of PIAA executive board
Feb 27, 2024

Matzie Looks at Community Solar for Pennsylvania
Feb 26, 2024

Matzie issues statement on DEP’s approval of PennEnergy permit to withdraw water from Big Sewickley Creek for fracking operations
Feb 16, 2024

Matzie announces nearly $234,000 in fire, EMS grants
Feb 15, 2024

Matzie: Nearly $750,000 awarded to bolster workforce training in Beaver County, region
Feb 15, 2024

House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee hears testimony on community solar bill
Feb 15, 2024

Matzie: $1.5M awarded to combat homelessness in Beaver County and region
Feb 05, 2024

Matzie applauds PUC proposals to enhance public notice and application review procedures for sale of water/wastewater systems
Feb 02, 2024

Matzie marks one-year since the East Palestine crash by renewing call for state Senate to pass the bipartisan House Rail Safety Bill
Feb 02, 2024

State Rep. Rob Matzie's Winter 2024 Newsletter
Jan 29, 2024

Matzie Statement on the PIAA ruling against Aliquippa High School Football
Jan 24, 2024

Matzie introduces bill to tackle problems with how schools are classified for athletic competition
Jan 24, 2024

House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee hears testimony on Matzie bill to improve utility customer payment plans
Jan 18, 2024