COVID-19

What COVID Taught Us About Reliable Energy & Healthy Homes

This artifact discusses the overlap between the COVID-19 crisis and the housing and utility affordability crisis. Avila begins by citing statistics for housing and utility debt accumulated during the pandemic, and articualtes how this debt and the housing and utility crisis as a whole mirrors...Read more

Formal Notice of Proposed Changes in Water, Sewer and Stormwater Rates and Related Charges (FY 2022 and FY 2023)

This artifact is the Formal Notice of Proposed Changes in Water, Sewer and Stormwater Rates and Related Charges for FY 2022 and FY 2023, which was received by the Philadelphia Department of Records on February 16th, 2021. 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

COVID-19 Relief Emergency Rental Assistance Summary

In the second COVID-19 stimulus bill passed by Congress, there is no specific funding for LIHEAP, and funding for rental assistance and utility assistance are shared. This document details how funds will be used in the Emergency Rental Assistance Section of the stimulus. 

"Grantees shall...Read more

Monthly U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions in April were the lowest in decades

This Energy Information Administration (EIA) report shows that monthly U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions were the lowest that they've been since 1973 in April 2020 due to travel restrictions and other measures implemented to reduce the spread of COVID19. From March to April 2020, CO2...Read more

PUC Urges Financially Stressed Consumers to Work with Utilities to Explore Options; Thanks Utilities for Safeguarding Essential Services; Encourages Conservation and Community Support

This press release came out on March 27th, 2019 form the Pennsylvania Utility Commission. This press release urged customers to seek out any financial assistance programs to make their bills affordable whether it be due to COVID-19 or some other financial burden.
They then offer the...Read more

Philly schools to distribute computers to students as coronavirus could force closure for the rest of the school year

Philadelphia schools connect students to education through the distribution of chrome books. 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

Utilities disconnect 116,000 Pa. households after state lifts moratorium on pandemic shutoffs

Pennsylvania utilities have cut off service to 116,000 customers for nonpayment since the state lifted a moratorium on shutoffs on April 1 after a ...Read more

Comcast commits $1B to low-income Internet Essentials program

Comcast has announced that it plans to commit $1 billion dollars to its low-income Internet-Essentials program. This plan will be spread across ten years and includes investments in community Wi-Fi centers, donating laptops and computers to low-income families, grants for nonprofits, and...Read more

The Energy Rights Project Phone Survey Consent Form and Resource Packet

This PDF contains a copy of the consent script read to individuals surveyed in the Energy Rights Project's second round of surveying, which began in November 2020. It also contains a list of various energy assistance resources, both local to Philadelphia and national. The first page of the...Read more

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