Happy Thursday, 168th!

As the unusually warm weather probably has many people switching on the A/C, it also seems appropriate that the rising cost of energy has been front and center this week in Harrisburg.

In a huge win for customers, PECO announced today that they have withdrawn their request for rate hike with the PUC! My colleagues and I heard your complaints and brought our own concerns directly to PECO to let them know that rate increases would be absolutely unacceptable and unsustainable.

Make sure you check out the details – and importantly, how we’re preparing for the next battle on behalf of consumers – in the first story below.

More big developments came this week when our efforts to put guardrails around AI data centers and to provide our municipalities with the tools they need to put local controls in place regarding data center development passed with bipartisan support. 

The Keep Big Tech Accountable Act requires data centers to report all water and electricity usage to DEP, and The Community Decides Act creates model local ordinance language for communities to use – or not use, it’s their choice – when facing the challenges of data center placement and the army of corporate lawyers putting the company’s wants before the community’s needs. Further details are in another story below.

We also rallied for legislation that would help add power to the grid. We heard legislative initiatives from incentivizing solar-ready warehouses and lowering monthly bills by prohibiting Weather Normalization Adjustments, to requiring utility companies to pay customers who agree to cut power usage during peak hours and ensuring that there is transparency in the standards used in the ratemaking process.

In America250PA-related and local news: We are a little under a month away from the PGA Championship at Aronimink! What an exciting spotlight for Newtown Township and Delaware County, although it will come with a little disruption.

Last week, Newtown PD Captain John Newell stopped by the district office to brief my team on what road closures and the increased police presence in the neighborhood will look like. 

If you commute through St. David’s Road or Sawmill Road, you will have to find an alternate route for the week. If you live in the area around the golf club, please look out for continued contact from the PGA on logistics. Please feel free to reach out to my office with any questions or concerns and we can direct you to the appropriate party.

If you missed out on tickets to see the action in person, Visit PA is giving folks from every county a chance to win access to the practice rounds! Enter to win here: PGA Giveaway - Visit Delco, PA

Everyone have a great weekend! Go Phillies!
 

In service,

In this edition:

Harrisburg Update 

• Petitions work -- just ask PECO!

• Protecting your utility bills from AI data center impact

• Visitors from local colleges

• Celebrating Black Maternal Health Week

In the District 

• Another year of trout stocking with the Delco Anglers!

• Blood drive update

• NELL Opening Day!

• Outdoor Fair & community hike

• SEPTA Senior Fare Cards in Newtown

Events 

• Medicare Supplemental Plans Zoom (4/29)

• Childcare Provider Roundtable (5/1)

• Property Tax/Rent Rebate Event (5/11)

• Shred Event (5/16)

FYI 

• Penn State Master Gardeners' Local Garden Contest

• Paul Miller’s Law Going into Effect 

Community Events & Announcements 

• Main Line Health’s Smoking Cessation Program Spring Schedule

• Edgmont Twp. Providence Road Cleanup (4/18)

• Once Upon a Run 5K (4/19)

• Orchestra Concordia performance in Radnor (5/1)

• Middletown Twp. Community Day (5/2)  

• Newtown Square Fire Co. upcoming events (4/26, 5/9, 7/4) 

• Wayne Plein Air Festival (Festival 5/3-9; Exhibition 5/9 – 6/20) 

Petitions work -- just ask PECO!

As I mentioned in my opening note, I want to talk more about the good news we got this afternoon when PECO announced it withdrew its proposed rate case. That means NO rate increase is coming, so your energy bills will not be going up anytime soon! 

As elected officials we may have led the charge against PECO’s proposed rate increase – but it was by amplifying YOUR voices, the people, that we secured this success! Thank you for signing our petition and writing to the PUC about your concerns. I am so happy and relieved, because the rising costs of living and how they’re impacting you are always on my mind.

This is not the end of the fight for affordability by any means; the legislature is focused on passing and implementing legislative guardrails to address rising costs and help minimize impacts of factors that cause utility rates to increase, like new AI data center development (more on that below). We know that people are being hit hard now with so many rising costs ($6 per gallon heating fuel and $5 per gallon gasoline, for example) which the state legislature cannot necessarily control. However, we can work to make change, and I am pleased to report that several pieces of legislation have moved forward in the House with bipartisan support to control the rising cost of energizing a home, business, or vehicle.

Utility bills are out of control, and it’s an issue that began long before the war in Iran further destabilized an industry where bills are too high…and even before the demands of data centers started putting an even heavier burden on our electric grid.

We won this round against PECO, but we know the next battle won’t be too far off, which is why my colleagues and I have been working on a plan to protect the people.  One of those House bills I mentioned above is HB 2333, the Ratepayer Protection Act, and I talk about the others in the next story below.

The Ratepayer Protection Act would improve on what’s worked for decades to protect consumers by making the following updates:  

• Ratepayers aren’t charged more to offset delinquent accounts.  

• Delinquent ratepayers working with utilities on payment plans are protected from shutoffs, and winter shutoffs are prohibited.  

• Account holders behind on payments will get better information, earlier information, and will be notified using multiple methods.  

• Lower-income households will have more flexible payment options, and fees will better reflect what people can afford.  

• Water, Sewer, and Gas authorities will have better tools to keep services running while working with customers on payments.  

Protecting your utility bills from AI data center impact

This news could be considered Part 2 of the story above, with a specific focus on AI data centers and their impact – something Kate, Mary Ann, and Alex have been fielding many messages from our neighbors lately, especially over the last few weeks.

It’s no surprise many of you are concerned about the proliferation of data centers causing your water and electric bills to skyrocket, considering reports of that nature coming from across the country, especially in regions with a high concentration of them.

Consumer Affairs recently reported one of the startling statistics: the average residential electric bill has increased nearly 30% since 2020, as energy demand climbs with data center proliferation. The same article reports that in northern Virginia, which has the largest concentration of data centers in the country, household utility bills have soared by 267% since 2021.

You and the rest of our neighbors should not be subsidizing companies like Amazon that want to build their AI data centers in our community.

Here are 3 pieces of legislation my colleagues and I are pushing to protect you. We already passed them in the House, so now it's up to Senate leaders to decide if they'll consider them:

1. HB 1834, “Data Centers & Consumers” – Would require the Public Utility Commission to implement regulations that prevent AI data center developers from passing electric infrastructure costs onto residents and small businesses.

2. HB 2150, “Keep Big Tech Accountable” – Would require the companies that own data centers to report their water and energy usage to the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection for monitoring, so we know when and how to take action.

3. HB 2151, “Community Standards for Data Center Development” – Would give local elected officials the power to adopt ordinances, if they choose, that set requirements for data centers re: sound, location, equipment, and building design.

These are only a few of the pieces of data center legislation being considered, so stay tuned for more related updates. One important thing to note is the collaboration with our environmental leaders in creating these pieces of legislation. The PA Boroughs Association, Sierra Club of PA, PennFuture, PA Environmental Council, Clean Water Action, and Conservation Voters of PA have worked closely with the bill sponsors to ensure the environment is front and center. The other important thing to note is the groups opposing this legislation, most notably the Data Center Coalition – this speaks volumes about the guardrails being put in place by both pieces of legislation.

This week students and staff from Penn State Brandywine and Villanova University stopped by to show off their school spirit and advocate for funding. I was honored to welcome our PSU Brandywine students to the floor of the House where they were recognized by Madam Speaker.

I love when students from the district’s universities visit Harrisburg and participate in the governmental process.

It devastates me to know that so many pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. But one of the driving forces that gives me hope that reality will soon change is Pennsylvania’s Black Maternal Health Caucus (I’m a member!), which just observed Black Maternal Health Week with various events around the Capitol.

Black Maternal Health Week is a time to raise awareness and advocate for fair care. Black women in the U.S. face higher risks in maternal health, as they are more than three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes. This week, we emphasized that pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. can be prevented. Everyone deserves access to quality and compassionate healthcare before, during, and after pregnancy.

You can read more about our efforts in our latest news release about our recent policy hearing.

Another year of trout stocking with the Delco Anglers!

Stocking trout is a fabulous way to spend a sunny Spring afternoon!

I joined my colleague Rep. Leanne Krueger and the Delco Anglers last Tuesday to fill the Chester and Ridley Creeks with some beautiful brown, golden, and rainbow trout. They even let me hop on the tank truck to see the fish before we released them into the wild!

Thank you to the Anglers and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission for always inviting us to help out! If you plan to fish this season, don't forget to get your fishing license.

Blood drive update

We partnered with the American Red Cross and Edgmont Township to host our first blood drive of the year last week!

You have heard me talk about how important blood donation is for my family and my dad’s care. I am so thankful to the 24 donors (myself included) that came out to donate 23 units of blood, we even had some first-time donors! Thank you for helping us save lives!

NELL Opening Day!

Play ball! Saturday morning the community turned out to celebrate the opening of Newtown Edgmont Little League - NELL and Newtown Square Petticoat League NSPL!

What a beautiful day to kick off the baseball and softball season! From the parade led by Newtown Square Fire Company and Newtown Township PD Delco to the reciting of the Little League Pledge, it was a great morning!

This former little league mom was thrilled to join opening day festivities with the leaders of NELL and Newtown’s Senator Tim Kearney along with Newtown Township Supervisor Leonard Altieri and Supervisor Paul Sanfrancesco. I was excited to throw out one of the first pitches with our Senator and despite some of the doubters (who shall remain nameless) my breaking ball was on target and would have fooled Kyle Schwarber! (Philadelphia Phillies…I’m ready!) Thank you, Chair Altieri, for documenting the moment!

It has been great getting to know the leaders at NELL as we work together along with Delaware County Economic Development Corporation to bring state funding home for infrastructure upgrades. These dedicated parent volunteers really show up to manage some beautiful facilities and all the young athletes, and their excited supporters are ready for a great season!

Outdoor Fair & community hike

My sunny but windy Saturday continued at Ridley Creek State Park, where my office hosted an outdoor fair featuring more trout stocking with the Delco Anglers, a short hike along the blue loop led by park Ranger Lexi Rose and Gary from the Friends of Ridley Creek State Park, and a presentation from Gary on wildlife and scat. Thank you to all our vendors including the Delco Food Bank and Tyler Arboretum for joining us.  

There is always something happening at Ridley Creek State Park; check out their calendar of events.

SEPTA Senior Fare Cards in Newtown

My Events

FYI

Penn State Master Gardeners’ Local Garden Contest

The 35th Annual Garden Contest, sponsored by the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Delaware County and open to all levels of county gardeners, from beginner to advanced, will be held this spring and summer.

Entrants can show off their gardens and receive helpful feedback on good gardening practices.  Points are awarded for pleasing design, plants that attract insects and birds, and garden practices specific to each category.  The contest’s intent is to recognize gardeners’ efforts and to promote good gardening.

Gardens of all sorts may be entered:

• Ornamental gardens may include flower beds, formal or cottage designs, cutting gardens, or container gardens.

• Vegetable gardens include edible plants grown in pots, raised beds, or larger plots. 

• Community gardens are those that are grown by a group.  These may include schools, churches, community centers, libraries, or park gardens.

• Youth gardens are encouraged to enter for the teaching of good practices, whether the gardens are grown by a group or an individual. 

Master Gardeners will not only judge the gardens but also answer gardeners’ questions. Winners will be recognized at our Fall Fest on Saturday, September 26th.

There are three judging dates:

• May 1: For judging ornamental gardens with spring-blooming flowers such as azaleas, bulbs, and peonies. The deadline to enter is April 27.
• June 26: For gardens full of annual flowers and early summer flowering shrubs and trees. The deadline to enter is June 22.
• August 7: For vegetable and community gardens throughout the county. Last year, we had many community gardens entering for the first time, mostly from churches, schools, and senior communities. The deadline to enter is August 3. 

Click here if you are interested in entering the garden contest!

Paul Miller’s Law Going into Effect 

On June 5, law enforcement will start pulling over drivers using hand-held mobile devices while operating a vehicle – even if you’re paused in traffic or stopped at a red light. Paul Miller’s Law protects us all from distracted driving – put down the phone and keep your eyes on the road!

Community Events & Announcements

Pennsylvania State Capitol

28-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 772-2005

District Office

24 S. Newtown Street Rd., Suite 100
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(484) 427-2884

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