COVID-19

March Staff Picks - Morgan Sarao

The artifacts that I chose throughout March discuss policy relating to crisis and crisis recovery on the federal level and in Philadelphia. The artifacts regarding federal policy were chosen after sifting through articles that resulted from google searches using the key words “LIHEAP” “...Read more

From mild to wild: Coronavirus impact on China’s power and renewables sector

This article by IHS Markit shows how COVID-19 impacts electricity demand. It is really interesting to see how China, a country where the industrial sector accounts for roughly 70% of the electricity use was impacted during these unprecedented times. This article also throws light on the...Read more

Philly schools spending $11M on computers to be used during coronavirus closures; Comcast CEO, family donating $5M

After the COVID-19 pandemic shuts down Philadelphia, the school district tries to purchase enough computers to supply a computer to every student. After the initial shut down the Philadelphia school district makes moves to bring equity of education to all primary and secondary students.Read more

PECO Extending Customer Support to Ensure All Residents Have Safe and Reliable Service During this Critical Time

On March 23rd, 2020, PECO released this press release. In it, they acknowledged that Governor Tom Wolf's order for all non-essential businesses to close will result in more people staying home. They stated that they will be working "with customers who have had their service disconnected to...Read more

Philadelphia Water Department 2021 Proposed Rate Increase

This artifact is a presentation created by the Philadelphia Water Department regarding their proposed rate increase. Without increased rates, according to PWD, they will have insufficient revenues to meet operating and legal requirements in FY2023. The Department withdrew a rate request in 2020...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

Democrats unveil $30bn bill to cancel water debts and bail out utility firms

Jeff Merkley, a Democratic senator from Oregon, proposed a 30 billion dollar low-interest loans program for electric, water and sewage and broadband providers as part of the Maintaining Access to Essential Services During the Covid Emergency Act of 2021.The loans would allow...Read more

Utility customers owe up to $40B in COVID-19 debt, but who will pay it?

This article discusses the effects of the utility shutoff moratorium as a policy (an emergency policy) that had no vision for long term pay back. I did not count the number of times the phrase "keeing the lights on" was repeated, but I should have. The article also describes how different...Read more

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