COVID-19

Philadelphia’s latest rental and utility assistance program is now open for tenants and landlords

This article states that Philadelphia's rental assistance program now includes funds for renters' utility payments, up to $2,000 each for water, electric, and gas. This is in addition to the $2,000 monthly for rent payments. This is made possible because of the $97 million in federal funds...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

COVID-19: Government to absorb electricity bills for the poor, others to enjoy 50% slash.

To be taking an energy vulnerability class during a pandemic like this I must say has been a blessing. This is because, with the knowledge I am attaining on this subject matter, I am beginning to understand what energy vulnerability is, and the extent to which it is a world-wide concern even in...Read more

Has COVID-19 changed other weekly/monthly expenses or created new expenses?

It's changed gasoline because I don't have to drive as often, so that's been less. But of course, there's more heat required and more electricity and water usage, so all utilities are going up. Read more

Memorandum on State Utility Disconnection Moratoriums and Utility Affordability

This memorandum created by the National Governors Association contains estimates for the financial impact that COVID-19 has had on utilities across the country as of June 2021, after the ending of many winter seasonal moratorium and as many COVID-19 induced moratoria are being lifted as well. It...Read more

PA Senate Democrats Joined House Democrats for Net Neutrality Policy Hearing

State Senator Amanda Cappelletti (D) and state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler (D) held virtual meeting on net neutrality and equitable access to internet in Pennsylvania.

“Internet access has become a necessity. However, Pennsylvania’s technological infrastructure and internet standards are behind...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

A Pandemic and Surging Summer Heat Leave Thousands Struggling to Pay Utility Bills

This article is particularly relevant to investigations on energy vulnerability, but also particularly relevant to predictions of compounded vulnerabilities made by the research group before the first round of interviews. For example, one of the people interviewed said she was forced to shut her...Read more

There Could Be an Energy Bill Debt Tsunami, Too

We're including this article because it discusses the state of household energy bills and the use of pandemic moratoriums. The article discusses differences between when states ended the utility shutoff moratoriums, but also noted that nationally, household consumers did spend more during the...Read more

Philly promises public school students will have internet access as coronavirus keeps classes online

This article discusses the plan by Philadelphia School District Superintendant Hite regarding internet access for students in the city. Philadelphia's return to school plan requries students continue virtual education until at least November 17th. However, parts of school buildings, libraries,...Read more

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