COVID-19

Philadelphia scales back requested water rate increase, to 10.2%

The Philadelphia Water Department scaled back its requested 17.6% two-year rate increase after City Hall reduced the amount the department contributes...Read more

Bicameral Utility Access Letter
This letter was signed by 100 members of Congress and urges party leaders to institute a utility shutoff moratorium that would last for at least six months beyond the end date of the national state of emergency.Read more
Direct Testimony of Melissa La Buda on behalf of The Philadelphia Water Department

The following artifact is the testimony of Melissa La Buda, the Deputy Commissoner of Finance for the Philadelphia Water Department, regarding the Philadelphia 2021 Water Rate case. It's important to note that throughout the testimony there is mentioning of increased outreach for the Tiered...Read more

NEUAC LIHEAP and COVID19 Fact Sheet

This fact sheet was created by the National Energy & Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC) and provides an overview of how LIHEAP funding/funding formulas, program flexibility, and eligibility has been adjusted for the COVID19 pandemic. This fact sheet was published on April 9th, 2020, and...Read more

Nearly 35 million households will lose their utility shutoff protections over the next month

With the onset of the pandemic, many states have put moratoriums in place to avoid families being shutoff in the middle of the crisis. However, even with extensions, many of these moratoriums are set to expire by the end of September, which would leave a little less than 35 million people...Read more

IEA Report: COVID-19 Impacts on Electricity

Like many other sectors of our life and our economies, COVID-19 has reshaped existing infrastructures, interactions, and services. Energy usage is among the sectors witnessing impacts in demand fluctuations and shift in sources. The IEA traced energy usage between the months of May 2020 and...Read more

Philly is trying to bridge vaccine gaps by targeting hard-hit neighborhoods. Finally, activists and experts say.

This article discusses the digital divide and how a vaccination have proven to increase it even more than the pandemic already has. It opens with by discussing Jeff Harris, 65, and how he was registered after a group of activists went door to door registering people. Harris explained that not...Read more

Senators call for quick release of LIHEAP funds

This article includes background information on how the three stimulus bills passed to provide economic relief due to COVID-19 impacts LIHEAP. It describes a letter produced by a collective of 28 U.S. senators, based on data from a report produced by NEADA. Read more

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