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Exxon Mobil has been lobbying against parts of Democrats’ big social and climate spending bill

Even though Democrats have called for increased taxes on the fossil fuel industry, fossil fuel giants pushed against the taxes on the grounds it makes the U.S. less competitive. Even the larger public is in favor of taxing the fossil fuel industry but do not know whether it is good to include a...Read more

Hundreds of thousands of people face utility shutoffs as pandemic surges

This article discusses the ending of the utility moratorium in Pennsylvania, which expired on November 9th, 2020. As of June, 800,000 customers were at risk of a utility shut-off post-moratorium, but that number is likely higher now. According to PUC's order, anyone whose household income...Read more

A Lawsuit Challenges the Tennessee Valley Authority’s New Program of ‘Never-Ending’ Contracts

This article talks about the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) locking 142 of 151 utilities into never-ending contracts, with stipulations to back out of their contracts with 20-year notices. This would essentially prevent many utilities from changing their contracts and power sources to...Read more

Connecticut residents still in the dark days after Isaias, as officials criticize utility companies' storm response

This article is particularly interesting in its details of the impacts Isaias has had on Connecticut communities. Relevant to this research study is the article's inferences on energy systems being old and vulnerable to tropical storms like Isaias, which will be increasing in the coming years...Read more

Governor’s power-plant carbon-pricing plan nears finish line

This article discusses Pennsylvania's tentative plan to price carbon emissions. If this move is successful, Wolf's administration would succeed in making Pennsylvania the first state to adopt similar measures. That said, such a move is also a significant headway into dismantling the long-...Read more

Pennsylvania driver among 5 dead after Isaias hits East Coast

This article briefly notes the devastating effects the tropical storm Isaias and the ways in which the storm has swept the East coast entirely. Underlying vulnerabilities to think about are preparedness on the part of the municipalities, housing stock, and its vulnerability to a heavy storm like...Read more

Able to power 50,000 homes, the ‘world’s largest floating wind farm’ takes another step forward

It is hopeful to see windfarms continued to be built and used for renewable energy. There are a lot of turbines that be installed in deeper water and, essentially, gives better opportunity to build both wind and hydro powered-turbine.Read more

Ideas we should steal: Community solar power

This article discuss a community solar project in East Parkside, as well as state policies that are preventing the project from moving forward.Read more

Central Pa. landowners relieved as PUC rejects controversial powerline project: ‘We fought hard’

In yet another decision in favor of utility users in Pennsylvania, the PUC voted against building a new pipeline that would have taken land away from 200 landowners, including farmers and business owners. The article brings forward several discussions that have made their way into discussions of...Read more

As water bills rise, PWSA ramps up efforts to help low-income customers

Water rates have inflated four times faster since 2017. In city’s neighborhoods, 1 in 5 customers spent 10% or more of their income on water. PWSA (Pittsburgh’s local water supplier) has sent shutoff notices to 20% of their nearly 8000 customers who fell behind on their bills. Payment...Read more

With No Power, Tens of Thousands in a ‘Nightmare’ a Week After Storm

This article talks about the ways in which residents are feeling the repercussions of losing power. Many with chronic illnesses have been seriously hit by this loss of power and are really struggling to cope with the heat, their illness, and the dangers of the pandemic. Both Connecticut and New...Read more

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