Philadelphia

Free internet access available for some now struggling to afford it, city says

Philadelphia is extending it's free PHLConnectED program, which provides no cost connections, to families who have children recieving special education services or are English-language learners, and those who participate in public benefit programs with income qualifications 

City...Read more

Unpaid Pa. utility bills soar 68% in the pandemic, and thousands face shutoffs next month

This article documents the end of the utility shutoffs suspension in Pennsylvania, which will take place on November 9, 2020.  

Utilities have said that the moratorium, which was enacted in March, has not led to an increase in payment plan applications, but has instead led to an...Read more

Squatting for survival in Philadelphia: What it’s like to live in a ‘takeover house’

The article goes in-depth about the history of squatting in the city of Philadelphia and the situations that lead to squatting in cities like Philadelphia with high unemployment, homelessness, transient or intermittent housing, and high percentages of low-income households (Chicago for example...Read more

Peco improperly shut off nearly 50,000 customers because of computer glitches

PECO, the Philadelphia electric utility company, has agreed to pay $75,000 in penalties under a proposed settlement with the Pennsylvania...Read more

COVID-19: Our latest updates as Philadelphia responds to COVID-19

This pdf shows the outlined contents of the Philadelphia Water Department's COVID-19 resource page. On this page, you can also find the information they have posted on the Water Rate Case hearings occurring March 16-March 18, 2021.Read more

Utility Shutoffs Allowed with Restrictions by Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission

This article released by the Philadelphia Energy Authority is actually dated to this past November 2020, when the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission decided utilities could resume shutting off customers who did not pay their utility bills. With the November provisions, utilities were allowed...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 seeks electric rate hike that would boost bills by 9.65%, citing grid costs and COVID-19

Peco, citing the need for “significant” upgrades to the local electric grid and for pandemic-related customer relief, on Tuesday filed a request seeking a $246 million electric rate increase that...Read more

Proposed Settlement Reached to Determine FY2022 and FY2023 Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Rates

This artifact, created by the Philadelphia Water Department, is an explanation for the general public regarding PWD's settlement for the proposed rate increase (2021). 

Along with lowering the proposed rate increase, the Public Advocate also propose a series of agreements related to...Read more

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