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Apr. 5—WILKES-BARRE — State Rep. Jim Haddock is encouraging Northeast Pennsylvania residents to testify next week regarding the rate hike request sought by UGI Utilities Inc. at public hearings being held by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
—An in-person hearing begins at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9 in City Council Chambers, 4th Floor, City Hall, 40 East Market St., Wilkes-Barre.
—Two telephonic public input hearings will take place at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 10.
"When I wrote to the PUC in February, I made it clear that UGI's third rate increase in the past four years is unacceptable and unaffordable for the hardworking people and businesses in Pennsylvania," said Rep. Haddock, D-Pittston Township. "I asked the PUC to hold a hearing in Northeastern Pa., and I am glad they are giving the people I represent the opportunity to have their concerns heard about this proposal."
Haddock encourages UGI customers to file a formal complaint to the proposed rate increase. The form is available on the PUC website, www.puc.pa.gov, or through their state representative's office.
To testify at a telephonic public input hearing, people are encouraged to register by 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 9. Those who do not register may not be able to testify.
To register, contact the judge's office at 412-565-3555 or mswarner@pa.gov and provide:
—Your first and last name.
—The date and time of the public input hearing at which you wish to testify.
—The phone number you will be using to call into the public input hearing.
—A phone number where you can be reached before the hearing in case you need to be contacted.
—If an interpreter is required to testify, you should register as soon as possible.
Haddock said people representing themselves are not required to have an attorney.
People who do not wish to testify but want to listen to the hearing may call in using the same hearing information, as listed below:
—Dial the toll-free number: 888-795-4352.
—Enter a PIN number when instructed to do so: 72378378.
—Speak your name when prompted and then the system will connect you to the hearing.
In February, the PUC voted unanimously to investigate UGI's proposal to increase its annual operating revenues for natural gas distribution service by $110.4 million (9.7%).
Under the proposal, the average bill for a residential customer would increase from $104.47 to $115.74/month (10.8%).
A final PUC decision is due by Oct. 28.
Shapiro Administration extends LIHEAP season to April 18
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh this week announced the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) season has been extended from April 4, to April 18.
The LIHEAP Program is vital for more than 300,000 Pennsylvania families and is especially critical for older adults and low-income families so they can safely heat their homes during the colder months.
Despite news of federal staffing cuts to the office that oversees LIHEAP, there are currently no changes to this season's program in Pennsylvania. Because DHS has adequate funding to continue the current season ending April 18, Secretary Arkoosh urged Pennsylvanians who are behind on or having trouble paying home heating bills to apply for LIHEAP Cash and LIHEAP Crisis benefits before the new April 18 deadline.
"The LIHEAP season is now closing for the year on April 18, so Pennsylvanians who may still need help with their heating bills from this winter should apply now," said Secretary Arkoosh. "LIHEAP helps our community's most vulnerable citizens — children, older Pennsylvanians, people with disabilities, and low-income families — make ends meet and keep their homes safer. If you are still having trouble paying your heating bills, please apply by April 18 so LIHEAP can help ease this burden."
The minimum LIHEAP cash grant is $200 and the maximum cash grant is $1,000.
Pennsylvanians can apply for LIHEAP at www.dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS and for other public assistance programs online or by phone at 1-866-550-4355.
Eligible veterans encouraged to apply for pension program
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) wants veterans who may qualify for a monthly pension through the state's Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension program to apply now.
The DMVA is helping to raise awareness as the Amputee Coalition recognizes National Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month in April.
Pennsylvania veterans who qualify for the pension receive $150 per month. Currently, there are 2,400 veterans across the commonwealth enrolled in the program.
"It is important that we never forget the sacrifices our service members make while in uniform," said Maj. Gen. John Pippy, Pennsylvania's adjutant general and head of the DMVA. "Sometimes those sacrifices come in the form of life-long injuries. It is our responsibility to aid those with extreme loss and the Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension is one way we can do that."
To qualify, applicants must meet the following criteria:
—Have been a resident of Pennsylvania upon entering the military.
—Have received Honorable or Under Honorable Conditions discharge.
—Have a service-connected disability rating of 40% or higher in each of two or more limbs (arms/hands or legs/feet) as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
To apply, Pennsylvania veterans should contact their County Director of Veterans Affairs in the county in which they reside.
2025 primary voter education efforts launched
In preparation for the May 20 primary election, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt this week launched the Shapiro Administration's biannual voter education efforts to ensure Pennsylvanians are aware of key dates and deadlines ahead of the election, as well as how to cast a ballot for those who choose to vote by mail.
"No voter should miss out on the opportunity to have their voice heard, so the Department provides clear, nonpartisan information about how Pennsylvanians can cast their ballot and have it counted," Schmidt said.
Among the key dates:
May 5: Last day to register to vote in the primary election
May 13: Last day to apply for a mail ballot
May 20: Primary Election Day. Polls are open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
8 p.m. May 20: Deadline for your county elections office to receive your completed mail ballot.
Because Pennsylvania has a closed primary, only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote for their party's nominees in the primary election. However, all voters can vote on any local ballot questions, if applicable.
Schmidt highlighted the Department's voter education toolkit, which provides ready-made graphics with election facts — in English, Spanish and Chinese — for stakeholders and the public to share online to further educate voters about the primary.
Schmidt also reminded voters about redesigned mail ballot materials and redesigned online mail ballot application. The changes institute more uniformity in mail ballot materials across the Commonwealth's 67 counties, streamline the application process, provide clearer instructions for voters, and reduce the chances of voters making errors, Schmidt said.
Schmidt said, "When most of these changes were introduced last year, we saw a 57% decrease in the number of mail ballots rejected for being improperly filled out."
For more information on voting in Pennsylvania, including mail ballots, call the Department of State's year-round voter hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA, visit vote.pa.gov, or follow #ReadytoVotePA on social media.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
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