 |
|
|
| |
| |
| Capitol Report |
#Listrak\DateStampLong#
|
The latest news from the State Capitol
|
Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unattended account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
|
Energy Committee Advances Partisan Bill to Put You in Direct Competition with Hyper-Scale Data Centers for Limited Electricity Supply
The day before the Governor made energy and our electricity bills a central theme of his budget address, the House Energy Committee passed a regressive partisan bill about data centers along party lines.
If you have been following my energy articles for months now, you know that we have been building an explanation about energy policy a block at a time. In that building-block analysis, we have shown why our consumer electricity prices requires that we build more electricity generation in Pennsylvania as fast as we responsibly can. We must do so before hyper-scale data companies buy our power from beneath us, further driving up our prices. Building more electricity will both reduce our consumer costs, and it will also lead to an economic boom for our state as other states clamor for our excess power.
House Bill 1834, even as amended, takes all of those building blocks of thoughtful analysis and throws them over the edge of an irrational cliff.
Recall, we have not grown large-scale electricity generation in Pennsylvania because those companies do not trust our Commonwealth’s regulatory environment. Last year, we intended to send a signal that we are to be trusted by declaring in our budget process once and for all that we had no interest in entering into RGGI, which would intentionally hyper-tax generation out of existence. That bill passed the House 190-13.
The bill just passed by the House Energy Democrats sends us right back to where we left. The bill does not grow electricity generation; the bill does not tell hyper-scale data companies that they must Bring Your Own Generation, as many of us have insisted across the country; the bill did nothing to lower your electricity costs. Instead, it said to electric generation companies -- “do not come to Pennsylvania.” That is the same as saying, we are happy with our electricity prices.
I am not happy, and I intend to say it loudly, just as I did before the Committee vote.
The bill was advanced as a data-center regulatory bill intended to protect ratepayers from the impact of data centers being built. What it was in fact was the reintroduction of RGGI, intended to keep new gas-fired generation out of our state.
• The bill assesses a tax of $40,000 per megawatt (MW) peak load up to 25MWs and then $50,000 per MW above 25MW. These taxes are to go to the LIHEAP fund.
• The bill assesses a tax of 0.8 cents per kilowatt-hour of actual use to be paid to the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authoroity to provide grants for small renewable projects (because such projects cannot be built economically on their own).
• The bill assesses a tax on large-scale customers to pay for all of the universal services low-income programs and energy conservation programs in the state.
• Because the bill does not require large-scale consumers to bring their own generation but instead compete with the rest of us for electricity, the bill requires large-load customers to agree to shut off their operations if the grid needs their purchased power.
• In addition to not requiring large-scale customers to bring their own generation, the bill requires those huge power-hungry businesses to consume 25% of their electricity from renewable power. Knowing full well that there is not enough renewable energy in Pennsylvania and that no business will agree to have their businesses powered by intermittent resources, the bill redefines “renewable energy” to include nuclear power.
o Nuclear power is derived in the fission process from enriched uranium. Uranium comes from uranium ore, which is mined from the earth. After it is spent in a nuclear process, it is housed in a spent-uranium graveyard on the nuclear plant property.
o It is not a renewable resource. This definitional fiction is a play by pro-RGGI advocates to return us to that policy track.
o Most importantly, it exacerbates the current problem: it puts Pennsylvania consumers in direct competition for limited nuclear power in our state.
So, I ask you the penultimate question – if you were a hyper-scale electricity generator or hyper-scale data company, would you want to build in Pennsylvania under such a construct. The answer is an unequivocal NO. In fact, this would further inflame our electricity prices on a scale we have not seen before, as we drive over the cliff of an electricity shortage.
The bill was not entirely wrong. There are portions of the bill which I have been advocating on the national stage. For example, it would guarantee that large consumers pay their own way for grid improvements needed to connect them, not ratepayers.
Notwithstanding the “good” of any individual provision, the economics of this bill are a nightmare for all us ratepayers, as we have proven over the last several months.
I voted NO.
|
Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry Legislative Update
The Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry hosted its annual breakfast to receive the state of the county and to recognize long-time public servants. We also heard from the Chamber about its legislative priorities for the year. They remain focused on responsible land use, workforce development challenges driven by artificial intelligence and tourism opportunities connected to the America 250 celebrations throughout the year.
Chester County’s agricultural economy remains a major strength. The county ranks second among Pennsylvania’s 67 counties in the total value of agricultural products sold and ranks among the top counties nationally in agricultural value per acre. The chamber emphasized continued support for farmers and agricultural production industries.
We also discussed the rise in energy costs and the impact on local commerce. Chamber leaders stressed in their materials the need for a clear regulatory framework for new data center construction paired with corresponding power generation. They expressed support for guardrails that protect communities without stifling economic growth.
Finally, the chamber raised concerns about increased demand for medical services and the need for adequate Medicaid funding to support providers and patients across the county. The county commissioners speaking during a Q&A period even discussed my bill to establish a $200 million grant fund for the purpose of reopening our closed hospitals.
|
MCAP Offers Service, Education Opportunity
Students seeking an affordable path to higher education and an opportunity to serve the Commonwealth may consider the Military College Assistance Program.
Through a partnership between the Pennsylvania National Guard and Valley Forge Military College, the program covers full tuition for four undergraduate years in exchange for eight years of service in the National Guard. Students receive a $420 monthly stipend during their first two years at Valley Forge Military College and may then transfer to another Pennsylvania institution while continuing to receive tuition benefits.
Learn more about the program here. The deadline to apply is Feb. 28.
|
Pro-Consumer Auto Insurance Bill Now Law
Legislation I voted for designed to protect drivers who change auto insurance carriers is now law.
Act 3 of 2026 requires the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to create an online insurance verification system that modernizes how the Commonwealth confirms drivers maintain required coverage.
Under prior law, insurance companies notified PennDOT when a policy was canceled but were not required to notify PennDOT when a driver obtained a new policy. If a driver missed PennDOT’s written notice requesting proof of coverage, that driver could face a three-month vehicle registration suspension, even if continuous coverage existed.
This new law closes that gap. The online verification system will allow PennDOT to confirm coverage electronically, reducing unnecessary suspensions and preventing drivers from being penalized due to paperwork timing issues.
|
Around the District
Roadway Construction Scheduled on U.S. 1 (Baltimore Pike) in Chadds Ford Township
PennDOT will conduct roadway construction on U.S. 1 (Baltimore Pike) in Chadds Ford Township as part of a local safety improvement project.
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday, February 23, through Tuesday, March 31, PennDOT will close a weekday lane in each direction between Creek Road and Ring Road.
Crews will perform curb demolition, milling, ADA ramp installation and utility construction during this period.
Garnet Valley Parent Training Opportunity
Garnet Valley parents are invited to a parent program on supporting teens with healthy coping skills and practical tools you can use right away. Please follow this link for more details.
Photo Credit: Facebook
Bethel Township Student Ambassador Program
Bethel Township is accepting applications from high school juniors interested in serving as a Junior Supervisor or Parks and Recreation Ambassador.
Applicants must be current juniors, live in Bethel Township and maintain acceptable academic standing with a clean disciplinary record.
Interested students should check their school email for details included in the principal’s weekly eAlert.
Photo Credit: Facebook
|
Bravo Zulu
*The BZ pennants are hoisted as a part of Navy/Marine Corps custom to communicate “GOOD JOB!”
Unionville Football Student Wins National Football Award
Congratulations to Brody McLaughlin, who received the Mini-Maxwell Award, a national honor recognizing football players for excellence on and off the field. Congrats, Brody, well deserved!
Photo Credit: Facebook
Garnet Valley Unified Bocce Earns Gold at Delco Championship
Congratulations to the Garnet Valley High School unified bocce team on a strong finish at the Delaware County championship.
Team 2 won the gold medal, and Team 1 placed third overall.
Team 1 will represent Garnet Valley at regionals on March 4, in Glen Mills. Great work.
Photo Credit: Instagram
GVHS Student Earns National Ceramics Honor
Congratulations to Garnet Valley High School senior Lily Mellinger, whose ceramic artwork earned recognition through the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts exhibition.
The organization will display Lily’s work in Detroit during the NCECA convention, where thousands of visitors will view it. Great work, Lily.
Photo Credit: Facebook
GVHS Science Olympiad Places in University of Pennsylvania Competition
Garnet Valley High School Science Olympiad students earned several strong finishes at one of the nation’s most competitive Science Olympiad meets this past weekend.
Saiteja Pobbala, Anisha Gowtham Srinivas, Aditya Parab and Jerry Huang placed third. Ekansh Agrawal and Ved Maru placed fourth. Rohit Rajagopalan, Ekansh Agrawal and Evan Patel placed fifth. Congratulations to these students on an excellent performance.
Photo Credit: Facebook
Rustin High School National Honor Society Service Project
Rustin High School students volunteered at Safe Harbor in West Chester as part of a multi-day service project. Safe Harbor provides emergency shelter, meals and services to individuals experiencing homelessness. Well done to these students for serving our community.
Photo Credit: Facebook
Graduates List:
La Salle University Dean’s List
Natalie Ricci, Secondary Education
David McClain, Sport Management
Mississippi State University’s Dean List
Lauren Maxson, Civil Engineering
University of Scranton Dean’s List
Isabella Kane, Kinesiology
Isabella Abbonizio, Political Science
Aidan Alabdulla, Mechanical Engineering
Katie Carrea, Mathematical Sciences
Shane Layer, Accounting
Lauren McAlee, Marketing
Benjamin Kearney, Early and Primary Teacher Education
Charlie Malloy, Finance
Jackson Snyder, Accounting
University of Rhode Island Dean’s List
Tim Crane, Sports Media and Communications
Jess Peterson, Nursing
Ryan Jackson, Accounting
Max Hunter
Amanda Ricci
Ivy Howe
Hamilton College
Reece Hickey, Data Science
|
|
| Office Locations |
| District Office: |
| One Beaver Valley Road | (intersection of Route 202 & Naamans Creek Road) Chadds Ford, PA 19317-9012 | Phone (610) 358-5925 | FAX: 610-358-5933 |
| Capitol Office: |
| 3 East Wing, P.O. Box 202160, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2160 | Phone: 717-783-3038 | FAX: 717-787-7604 |
| |
|
|
.jpg)
