Philadelphia

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

Philly is ready to start fighting climate change again

As President-Elect Biden stated, there is a pontential for the US to re-enter the Paris Agreement for climate change goals to be achieved by 2050. Philadelphia had continued to follow the climate provisions thanks to Mayor Kenney's commitment even despite President Trump's withdrawal from the...Read more

Philadelphia School District to Add All-Electric School Buses to its Fleet

The school district of Philadelphia plans on being the first school district in Pennsylvania to add all-electric school busses to its fleet. For the 2021-2022 school year the district will acquire five electric busses with plans to convert up to 20% of its fleet by 2026. Removing one diesel bus...Read more

30-inch water main break floods South Philadelphia streets

The geyser-like disruption that emerged in Philly on July 25th later at night caused severe damages, upwards of $1 million, considering that is how much one collector lost in art and paintings. The Water Department offered to pump out any water, mud, or other debris in people's basements that...Read more

Benzene emissions at shuttered South Philly refinery exceeded federal limits last year, report finds

The Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery in South Philadelphia last year emitted average airborne benzene levels at triple a federal threshold, even though the site had been closed since 2019 due to an explosion and fire,...Read more

In an effort to increase solar use in homes, Philly cuts red-tape and cost for installers

Philadelphia officials have streamlined the permitting process for home solar installers in Philadelphia. Installers can apply for an ...Read more

Peco plans hourly rates to encourage customers to shift energy use to off-peak periods

PA regulators have approved PECO’s plan to implement time-of-use rates for its customers, including both residential and commercial consumers. The hope is that some will shift electricity use to off-peak hours, during which rates of use will be discounted. The system has three price tiers...Read more

Philadelphia Water Department Proposal Settlement Term Sheet

This artifact is the settlement agreement that PWD and Public Advocate reached, which is awaiting review by the Philadelphia Water Rate Board, which is the independent review board which sets PWD's rates. Along with lowering the proposed rate increase (to 10.2% for residential customers), the...Read more

Help All Students #LogOnPHL

This article discusses a new hotline set up to help students and families navigate this new school year. It was written by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenny and superintendent William Hite Jr. One thing I have noticed in every article I have found is the increasing usage of the term "digital divide...Read more

Philadelphia rate board gives water customers some relief

This article outlines the 2018 water rate increase in Philadelphia, designed as an 11% increase for households over three years. We are reading and reflecting on this increase in relation to the proposed 2021 water rate increase of 17.5%, which is set to go into effect during the pandemic.Read more

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