West Central PA News

Rep. Abby Major and the House Republican Policy Committee, under the leadership of Chairman Josh Kail, recently held a hearing in Ford City to address the issue of affordable and reliable energy for Pennsylvania consumers. The hearing, titled “Balancing Your Budget and Thermostat: Consumer-Focused Energy Policy,” featured a panel of speakers including Michael Butler from Consumer Energy Alliance, Deb Davis and Scott Waitvertch from Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, as well as Pennsylvania residents Steve Craven and McKenna DeWitt.

DeWitt, one of the residents who testified at the hearing, expressed her frustration with high utility bills despite working full-time. She emphasized, "I shouldn't be asking for assistance. Something is not right."

Rep. Major highlighted the importance of listening to constituents who are struggling to pay their utility costs, stating, “It is important we listen to their stories, how the increased energy costs are negatively impacting their lives, and then take what we hear back to Harrisburg and develop commonsense energy policy.”

Chairman Kail criticized the Shapiro administration's energy policy proposals, calling them detrimental to consumers' wallets, jobs, environment, and national security. In contrast, House Republicans have put forth a package of energy bills aimed at positively impacting various aspects. Kail emphasized, “We have the answers in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is positioned as an energy leader. We need to leverage our position, not stifle it. The world is a better place with Pennsylvania energy.”

The hearing shed light on the challenges faced by Pennsylvania consumers in meeting their energy needs while balancing their budgets. It served as a platform for discussions on developing policies that prioritize affordability and reliability in the state's energy sector.

For more information and to watch the complete hearing, interested individuals can click on the video provided in the original article.