HARRISBURG, Aug. 26 – As lawmakers continue searching for solutions on best energy practices, House Consumer Affairs Committee Democratic Chairman state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Allegheny/Beaver, majority chairman state Rep. Jim Marshall, R-Beaver/Butler, and state Rep. Chris Quinn, R-Delaware, led a public hearing today on solar energy and its impacts in Pennsylvania from an economic, business and community perspective.

“I’m on record in favor of an all-in energy portfolio for Pennsylvania,” Matzie said. “That includes renewables like solar. This is a great opportunity for members to get information on where we are and what is needed to get to that diverse and, in my judgment, necessary energy mix.”

Held at the Penn State Brandywine Campus, here are the testifiers who participated today and provided valuable input:

• Scott Elias, Solar Energy Industries Association.
• Mark Haas, PECO Energy Co.
• Kathleen Robertson, Sol Systems.
• Katie Rever, IGS Energy.
• Joel Harrington, Enel North America.
• Brent Alderfer, Community Energy.
• Leslie Elder, Coalition for Community Solar Access.
• Tim Mills, program manager, Renewable Energy Division, ARM Group (Renewable Works for PA).

“With solar energy rising in popularity for customers, it is critical to hear how it could benefit the commonwealth,” Marshall said. “Our goal is to gather as much information on technology and energy in order to provide our consumers with reliable energy and reliable information for them to make an informed energy choice.”

According to data from SEIA, more than 786 megawatts of solar energy have been installed in homes across Pennsylvania, which has the commonwealth sitting 22nd in the nation. The testimony indicates there is enough solar installed to power nearly 97,000 homes in Pennsylvania.

The percentage of the commonwealth’s electricity from solar is less than 1%, as evidenced by the Energy Information Administration, despite a 43% price decline over the last five years.

Data from the 2020 National Solar Jobs Census shows there were 4,310 solar jobs in Pennsylvania, ranking 17th in the nation. According to SEIA’s National Solar Database, there are 426 solar companies operating in Pennsylvania, with a high concentration in southeastern Pennsylvania. SEIA projects there will be a growth of approximately 1,305 megawatts over the next five years, which would put Pennsylvania 28th in that category.

“Solar energy is now an affordable alternative for many,” Quinn said. “The industry will see significant growth in the coming years providing good-paying, family-sustaining jobs, lower energy costs and greater energy independence. I’m grateful to Chairman Marshall and the Consumer Affairs Committee for holding today’s hearing, and I’m hopeful Pennsylvania can seize the opportunity to become a leader in this burgeoning industry.”

“I would like to thank the testifiers for participating in this critical discussion,” Marshall said. “I would also like to thank Chairman Matzie and Representative Quinn, along with my colleagues, for participating. I am grateful for the staff at Penn State Brandywine who helped make this forum possible.”

Committee hearings allow legislators to gather information about proposed policy changes, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and propose alterative solutions to improve the initial proposal.

Gov. Wolf Calls on FEMA to Lower Thresholds for Flood Aid  

Harrisburg, PA – As Pennsylvania experiences more localized short-duration high-intensity rainstorms that cause devastating flash flooding, Governor Tom Wolf today sent a letter urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to lower the federal damage assessment thresholds required for these events to qualify for federal aid.

“These localized short-duration, high-intensity precipitation events result in significant damages and impacts to human lives, but they rarely meet the thresholds needed for federal disaster aid in the form of Individual Assistance,” Gov. Wolf said. “While my administration is working diligently to support recovery efforts, substantial gaps remain when these localized events do not meet federal damage assessment thresholds. As a result, victims are left to pick up the pieces with little to no financial support. I’m requesting that FEMA adjust the thresholds to better reflect current weather trends that, as a result of climate change, are causing these intense rainstorms and impacting communities, including those that typically do not experience flooding.”

Recently, homes and businesses in Bucks, Philadelphia and Tioga Counties sustained significant flood damage as a result of flash flooding on July 12. The governor toured Bucks County communities affected by this flooding.

Based on the results of a damage survey, the damage in these counties, as well as the neighboring counties of Bradford, Delaware, Lehigh, Lycoming, Montgomery, Northampton and Potter, met the criteria for financial aid through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).  The governor requested and successfully obtained a SBA emergency declaration to benefit the affected citizens.

However, the federal criteria for Individual Assistance aid was not met, even though the damages devastated numerous homeowners and renters.

In order to receive a federal disaster declaration for Individual Assistance, which provides money directly to homeowners and renters, the commonwealth would need to reach certain thresholds for the number of homes that fit into the classification of “major damage” or “destroyed” along with other considerations that are specified by FEMA.

“Evaluating impacts solely on a micro level at the municipal or county level alone, rather than toward a whole state assessment, would provide a more realistic assessment of the impacts to that community,” Gov. Wolf said. “Doing so will provide much needed direct assistance to the most vulnerable who most often are ineligible for other disaster assistance.”

Flooding, which is one of the most significant hazards in the commonwealth, is becoming more common due to the increased frequency of short-duration high-intensity rainstorms.

In 2019 alone, more than 5,200 Pennsylvania homes were damaged from flooding events; however, not one incident met the federal thresholds required for individual assistance.

While flooding risk was originally thought to be associated with living in or near a special flood hazard zone or flood plain, data collected since 1993 has shown that 96% of flooding incidents in the commonwealth reported to the National Weather Service occurred outside of established flood plains. Despite this, many homeowners and renters are not required to purchase flood insurance by their lender or landlord and many are unable to afford the additional expense.

Al Capone’s favorite gun, personal items head to auction
By OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Al Capone is infamous for having been a ruthless mob boss, but one of his granddaughters says Capone’s softer side will shine through when the family auctions some of his personal belongings in October. Items heading for the block include a diamond-encrusted pocket watch, family photographs and his favorite handgun. The Prohibition-era gangster’s three surviving granddaughters will also sell a letter he wrote to their father and his only child from the now-closed federal penitentiary on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. That’s where he served 11 years after his 1934 tax evasion conviction in Chicago. The auction will be held on Oct. 8 in Sacramento.

Kabul airport attack kills 60 Afghans, 13 US troops
By SAYED ZIARMAL HASHEMI, RAHIM FAIEZ, LOLITA C. BALDOR and JOSEPH KRAUSS Associated Press
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Two suicide bombers and gunmen have targeted crowds of Afghans flocking to Kabul’s airport to flee the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. An Afghan official says at least 60 Afghans were killed and 143 wounded. U.S. officials said 13 U.S. service members also died, including 11 Marines and a Navy medic. A U.S. official said the attack was believed to have been carried out by the Islamic State group. President Joe Biden spoke directly to the attackers in a speech to the nation and said “We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay.”

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania school leaders are figuring out how to use billions in federal coronavirus relief. It’s a flood of cash that can help lower class sizes, underwrite construction projects and assist children in catching up after a year and a half of pandemic-caused educational disruption. One school superintendent calls it “a game changer.” In Pennsylvania, the largest cities collected the most in federal pandemic relief money, with the 130,000-student Philadelphia public schools receiving nearly $1.8 billion. Districts are looking at ways to help kids catch up, to address their mental health needs and to make their buildings cleaner and safer, among other things.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission says superintendent of Pittsburgh’s public schools submitted “negligent” reimbursements for travel and was improperly paid for days off when he was not working for the school district. The three-page order issued Thursday also says Superintendent Anthony Hamlet violated ethics rules by taking money for public appearances, speeches or presentations related to his public position. The commission is ordering Hamlet to pay $1,750 to the state and $6,200 to the school district and to forfeit 14 vacation days. Hamlet’s lawyer says the violations were the result of clerical errors, lack of ethics training and Hamlet’s contract letting him receive pay for speeches.

Keystone State News Connection

Emily Scott

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvanians are growing more concerned with the affordability of their health care, according to a new poll.

More than 600 registered voters were polled last month in the state, and 75% said the amount they pay for health care seems to increase each year. And about a year-and-a-half into the pandemic, 65% said they are worried people who are diagnosed with COVID may have to pay higher amounts for their health care.

Fred Yang, CEO of Hart Research, said residents want the health-care system to work better for them, especially in the context of COVID-19.

“I think there’s recognition that we’re going to have to deal with a lot of aftereffects of the pandemic, including people’s health,” Yang observed. “But also a recognition that the people who contracted COVID-19 and are recovering, they’ll also have a further hit on their wallets.”

About 58% of the Pennsylvanians polled said they’ve struggled to pay a medical bill, even if they had health insurance. The polling was done by Hart Research and ALG Research, on behalf of Consumers for Quality Care.

According to the poll, a majority of Pennsylvanians don’t want a complete overhaul of the health-care system, but specific solutions. Some 93% said they want policy changes from Congress that lower deductibles and hold insurance companies accountable for selling plans that offer little coverage.

Jim Manley, board member of Consumers for Quality Care, said voters want high-quality, affordable care and access to good health-care providers.

“What we’re seeing throughout this polling is, voters agree that the cost of health care continues to rise,” Manley explained. “And they have serious concerns of out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, premiums and co-pays, when it comes to the biggest issues facing their future.”

Another priority the poll confirmed is voters want to see improvements to home- and community-based care for older adults and people with disabilities.