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Dear Neighbor,
Last week, we talked about the PUC’s upcoming public hearings on the proposed $63 billion merger between Essential Utilities and American Water.
If approved, this merger would create the largest private water utility in the United States. Pennsylvania already has some of the highest levels of water privatization and some of the highest water rates in the nation, and these companies have spent years pushing for laws that make it easier to acquire public systems and raise rates, including policies that allow acquisition costs to be passed directly to customers.
This consolidation of our water infrastructure into fewer and fewer private hands is especially concerning at a time when Pennsylvanians are already feeling the impact of data center growth and corporate profits on our rising electric bills. If we fail to act, those same projects, which consume staggering amounts of water, are poised to drive up our water bills too.
Over the next few weeks, I will publish a series of posts about Pennsylvania’s water resources and water rights and what we should be doing, right now, to protect them. We'll talk about who controls our water, why that matters, and what actions you can take.
Part 1 of 7: Pennsylvania has 80 trillion gallons of water. So why should you be worried?
Pennsylvania is one of the most water-rich states in the country, with an estimated 80 trillion gallons of water in underground aquifers and 2.5 trillion more gallons in our lakes, reservoirs, and 83,000 miles of streams and rivers. But that abundance does not mean security unless we take action to protect it.
In Part 1 of my seven-part series on water rights in Pennsylvania, I look at how our water is (or should be) managed and protected and where we're falling short.
We have spent generations treating our water supply as if it were infinite, building our laws, our industries, and our expectations around that assumption. But today we are standing at the edge of the largest wave of industrial water demand this state has ever seen, with regulations crafted for a different era.
Read my full post on Substack to find out why Pennsylvania’s water future is more fragile than it appears and what we can do to protect this essential natural resource while also protecting families from rising water bills. |
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Weigh in on the AQUA and American Water Merger
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) is subject to approval by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
The PUC has the ability and authority to approve or reject the merger and to impose conditions including rate protections, affordability commitments, and infrastructure investment guarantees. The upcoming hearings give the public an opportunity to be heard.
How To Participate:
As your state representative, I will be urging the PUC to either reject this merger or impose strict, enforceable requirements including rate protections, transparency requirements, and service quality guarantees as a nonnegotiable condition of approval. Chester County residents and all water utility customers deserve safe, reliable water at an affordable rate.
For more information, see the PUC hearing announcement. |
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Community Updates:
Community CPR & First Aid Training
The East Brandywine Fire Company and Minquas Fire Company No. 2 are partnering to offer hands-on CPR & First Aid Training to community members on Saturday, May 30. Trainings will be held at the Witmer Center at East Brandywine Fire Company, with two time slots to choose from.
Minquas Fire Company launched its Community CPR & First Aid Training program in 2025 with Caln Township and hopes to bring the training to all five municipalities they serve, making it more accessible and convenient for the entire community.
The training is designed for all skill levels, and spots are limited and expected to fill quickly. |
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Lights Out for Night-Migrating Birds
The beginning of April means the beginning of peak spring migration for migratory birds, as our feathered friends return from warmer climates. Please help them find their way home by turning off exterior lights as much as possible, especially during the spring migration period, April 1 through May 31.
Read more here about the National Audubon Society’s Lights Out program, including how to start a program in your community. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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! |
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District Office 631 North Pottstown Pike |
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Pennsylvania State Capitol 34 East Wing PO Box 202155 (717) 783-5009 |
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