|
|
Dear Neighbor,
Pennsylvanians are already feeling the impacts of data center development on their rising electric bills, and those same data center proposals are poised to have an equally concerning impact on public water bills. The same facilities creating outsized demand on our regional electric grid are also projected to consume staggering amounts of water, and the infrastructure to supply that water is quietly being consolidated into fewer and fewer private hands.
Last week, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) announced public hearings on the proposed merger between Essential Utilities (the parent company of Aqua America and Peoples Natural Gas) and American Water Works Company (better known as American Water). Their merger—a $63 billion all-stock deal—would create the largest private water utility in the United States. This merger is subject to approval by the PUC, which has the ability and authority to impose conditions including rate protections, affordability commitments, and infrastructure investment guarantees. The upcoming hearings give the public an opportunity to weigh in.
Why is this important?
Pennsylvania already has one of the highest levels of water utility privatization in the country and is among the states with the highest water rates in the nation. And these two companies, American Water and Essential Utilities, have continually advocated for regulatory changes that would facilitate acquisitions and rate increases, including laws that would allow the price a company pays to acquire a water system to be passed directly to customers.
Last week, we talked about the fact that a former Republican Speaker of the House who spent years advancing the fossil fuel lobby’s agenda in Harrisburg was hired by a gas company the day after he resigned the Speakership. That company was Essential Utilities, which hired Speaker Turzai as general counsel The for Peoples Natural Gas, one of the companies whose agenda he advanced while in office. The revolving door between industry and the legislators who set the rules governing that industry is not a new story in Pennsylvania. But it's newly relevant when that same company is now asking to control your water.
How to participate:
In Chester County, in-person hearings on the Essential Utilities and American Water merger are scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, at Penn State Great Valley in Malvern, with sessions at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. No pre-registration is required to attend. Individuals wishing to testify may sign up upon arrival at the venue.
Telephonic hearings will be held April 28 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., at 888-547-8922, passcode 74903461. Pre-registration is encouraged if you wish to testify at a telephonic hearing. For more information, see the PUC hearing announcement.
House Session Recap
The House was back in session this week, and we advanced several bills to address affordability, support working families, and protect consumers from rising energy costs. This marks the third legislative session in a row where the House has passed a bipartisan minimum wage increase, and the second session in a row where we have worked to advance a statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program.
House Democrats continue to introduce and advance legislation that uplifts working families, strengthens small businesses, and reflects the real needs of Pennsylvanians. These bills earned bipartisan support in the House because they are practical, popular, and long overdue.
These solutions now head to the Senate, which has thus far refused to act on policies that would raise wages, expand worker protections, and make life more affordable for families across the Commonwealth. The stakes couldn’t be higher for working families in Pennsylvania, as pressures around affordability and the rising cost of living continue to grow.
Here are just a few of the bills passed with bipartisan support in the House this week:
The House has done its job by advancing practical, widely popular solutions that support Pennsylvanians. We are calling on the Senate to meet the moment and join in the work.
Contact Senate leadership and urge them to take up these bipartisan bills and deliver the progress working families across Pennsylvania have been waiting for. |
|
|
|
If you have questions or would like to share your thoughts on any legislative or state-related issue, please contact my district office at repotten@pahouse.net. |
|
|
|
Shop for the best electric rate with PA Power Switch
PA Power Switch makes it easy to compare electricity rates and plans, including plans that save you money while sourcing energy from 100% renewable suppliers. PA Power Switch is Pennsylvania’s official electricity shopping website managed by the Public Utility Commission, so you can be assured that offers are verified and legitimate, and the website makes it easy to review and understand the terms and duration of each offer.
In addition to unbiased comparison shopping, the site provides information about your rights as a utility consumer, plus a helpful explainer about understanding your electric utility bill so you can better see which costs are within your control. (PECO will still be your electric utility; PA Power Switch just allows you to choose the company that supplies your electricity.)
Electricity prices fluctuate, so be sure to check back periodically to make sure you are signed up for the program and rate that best suits your household’s needs and budget. Consider selecting a plan with a fixed, non-introductory rate, or setting a reminder on your calendar or phone to reevaluate plans in a few months, especially if the initial program you select has an introductory period.
Taking a few minutes a few times a year to review your options can save money and ensure your energy plan fits both your values and your budget. |
|
|
|
|
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Period Open
The 2026 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Period is open and accepting applications for rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2025. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians ages 65 and older, widows and widowers ages 50 and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and older.
This program has made it easier for seniors in Chester County to stay in their homes and afford groceries, medicine, and so much more. Please call or stop by my office to find out if you’re eligible and get assistance applying for your rebate. We’d be glad to answer any questions and set up an appointment to help you complete your application online! For those who prefer to file by mail, paper applications are available in my office. |
|
|
|
|
Free Tax Filing Assistance Available in Chester County
Need help filing your taxes? The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is here to help.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is once again offering free, IRS certified tax preparation to eligible residents. By helping individuals keep more of their earnings and access essential tax credits, VITA provides a critical boost for families working to build long term financial stability.
For many households, maximizing this year’s refund is crucial. VITA supports working individuals who do not receive high wages by offering:
VITA sites across Chester County are now open for the season, with locations in Coatesville, Downingtown, Exton, Kennett Square, Phoenixville, Pottstown, Royersford, and West Chester.
To learn more about site locations, hours, and what to bring, click here. |
|
|
|
|
LIHEAP Application Window Open through May 8
The 2025–26 LIHEAP (Low‑Income Home Energy Assistance Program) season will remain open through May 8, 2026. LIHEAP is a federally funded DHS program that helps eligible households pay their heating bills by sending payments directly to their utility company or fuel provider. Grants of up to $1,000 are available to income‑qualified households.
Eligible families are encouraged to apply early. Assistance is available while funds last and is distributed on a first‑come, first‑served basis. LIHEAP also provides support in crisis situations and weatherization services, ensuring no one has to choose between staying warm and meeting other essential needs. |
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
Our district office will be closed on Friday, April 3 in observance of Good Friday. We will reopen at 9 AM on Monday, April 6.
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, contact us through my website, or visit my district office in Exton and let us know how we can help! |
|
|
|
District Office 631 North Pottstown Pike |
|
Pennsylvania State Capitol 34 East Wing PO Box 202155 (717) 783-5009 |
|
|
