FILE – Pennsylvania House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia, speaks in Philadelphia, Monday, Nov. 7, 2022. Democrats in the Pennsylvania House are moving to control the chamber after they barely won back enough seats in November but one of their incumbents died and two others won higher office. Shortly after McClinton was sworn in on the House floor on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022 she scheduled special elections for Feb. 7 for all three seats. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Pennsylvania House’s Republican leader is seeking to wait until the May primary before holding special elections in two vacant districts. The filing of election paperwork Thursday by Republican Leader Bryan Cutler of Lancaster County is the latest move in a power struggle over control of the nearly evenly divided chamber. Democrats won barely enough seats in November to reclaim the majority. But one of their successful candidates died of cancer in October and two others have just resigned after being elected to Congress and as lieutenant governor. Cutler has sued over Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton’s decision to file separate paperwork seeking to hold all three contests on Feb. 7.

(Photo provided with release)

Keystone State News Connection

December 16, 2022

Danielle Smith

New rules proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency would require regular inspections of all methane-emitting oil and gas production sites throughout the country. In Pennsylvania, groups that support the rules say they’ll open the door for more jobs in the natural-gas industry.

Isaac Brown, executive director of the Center for Methane Emission Solutions, noted there is a market now for technologies and companies to help energy producers address emissions, which means they’ll need more workers.

“Jobs can be created to help companies comply with these rules,” he said, “but because these rules will result in more product being saved that can be brought to market, producers can also actually see their profits increase.”

The new rules are meant to supplement the comprehensive rules to capture more methane from leaks and flaring at well sites that the Biden administration released last year.

John Walliser, senior vice president of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, explained that methane has more than 80 times the global-warming power of carbon dioxide in the first 20 years after it reaches the atmosphere – so curbing emissions is a way to slow climate change. He said that’s important for Pennsylvania in several ways, because of the high number of wells in the state.

“The first is that the rule ensures that consistent leak detection and repair standards are applied at well sites,” he said, “particularly for those that have equipment known to malfunction and cause fugitive emissions.”

He said the rule will also require that operators monitor and report on low-producing or abandoned well sites until they are properly plugged and closed.

Walliser added that the EPA rules will mean other harmful pollutants are curbed as well as methane because of the more sophisticated technologies that will be used. He said that will also ensure methane can be captured and sold instead of escaping into the air.

“When you prevent fugitive emissions, you’re preventing the waste of these resources, and that leads to cost savings, both for the oil and gas operators themselves as well as energy consumers,” he said. “The other benefit we see for Pennsylvania is that it’s going to help drive new technologies and the growth of businesses here in the state, in the methane-mitigation space.”

He said several service and manufacturing firms already are located in Pennsylvania, and many are small businesses that can take advantage of these new opportunities.

(Photo Provided with release)

Keystone State News Connection

December 16, 2022

Danielle Smith

A Pennsylvania policy analysis group is adding its voice to the calls for Congress to bring back the expanded child tax credit for families in place during the pandemic. The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center said it could be included in the end-of-year spending package.

When the expanded Child Tax Credit was in effect, it helped boost millions of families above the federal poverty level, with a few hundred dollars a month per child.

Marc Stier, director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, said the Child Tax Credit reduced poverty for 5.3 million people. He argued policymakers have the power to help address childhood poverty again and thinks Congress should not pass corporate tax breaks unless it also expands tax credits for families.

“We’re telling Congress people that they ought to make a deal,” Stier stated. “We’re not crazy about some of those corporate tax cuts. Well, if we’re going to give tax cuts to billionaires, we ought to be giving help to the poorest kids in our country, and that’s a deal we can live with. And it’s a deal they should include in the budget negotiations this month.”

When it was in effect, the expanded Child Tax Credit provided monthly payments of $250 to $300 per child to families, depending on the child’s age. Without the expanded program, an estimated 627,000 kids in Pennsylvania missed out on the full credit. Opponents in Congress argued the credit contributes to inflation.

Stier noted since Congress allowed the child tax credit expansion to lapse, child poverty in the Keystone State has risen by 40% and the number of people who do not always have enough to eat increased by 25%. He said families are struggling to pay their bills without the expansion of the credit.

“We’re hearing from parents who are having trouble heating their homes, having trouble paying for food, having trouble paying for child care, so they can actually go out into the workforce,” Stier observed. “A little extra money a month, which we give to upper middle-class families making $400,000 a year, we certainly can give that to low-income families as well.”

Congress has until Friday to enact the final spending measure and pass another continuing resolution to keep the federal government funded, or risk a partial government shutdown.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Despite the mostly empty seats at the December 15 meeting, the New Brighton Borough Council moved ahead with the passing of several measures regarding the maintenance of finances heading into the new year.

Following a payment of the bills totaling $634,121.23 (including a $374,521.02 reimbursement), the Council approved the adoption of a 2023 balanced budget along with a $29 million tax millage–an amount that will mean no tax increase for the borough. Salaries for non-union employees were approved for a 1% raise for 2023, and the benefits were amended to include paid time off for regular part-time employees. “After three years of employment, they would be entitled to one week paid vacation,” stated borough manager Tom Albanese, “plus they could accrue an additional 1.5 days off for every 500 hours of work.”

The council also approved a year-end capital fund transfer that would transfer the remaining general fund to the 2023 pool, before approving a tax exoneration for the purchase of a property at 414 3rd Avenue by Jessica Wilson. The resolution drew concern from Council Vice President John Ramer and council member Jay Glover, but solicitor Ken Fawcett notified the council that there was no power that they could wield in this decision, leading to a reluctantly unanimous approval.

Twelve roads were approved for submission to be re-paved beginning in 2023, most of which are alleys and small stretches of road throughout the main borough “because they are in poor condition,” per Albanese. He also stated that several of the roads will be paved with “flex base” pavement, which will have to be re-sealed following a two-year period. The proposal for the road maintenance will be sent to Widmer Engineering.

The regular meeting closed with an executive session that the public would have been excluded from–if any members of the public were in attendance.

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio Staff

(Potter Twp., Beaver county, Pa.) The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued a notice of violation to Shell for emissions exceedances at the Cracker Plant in Potter Twp.
DEP said in a release that during the initial startup of the facility in September and October, the cracker plant’s emissions of volatile organic compounds exceeded the limit set in its approved air quality plan. Emissions data from Shell in November also showed increases but not exceedances of other air contaminants like carbon monoxide and hazardous air pollutants
As part of its investigation, the DEP requested Shell submit a root cause analysis and description of efforts to minimize flaring and an emissions exceedance report and mitigation plan that evaluates the commissioning process from the facility.
The DEP said the notice of violation is just an initial step and it’s actively investigating and getting additional information, data and reporting from Shell.

AAA expects nearly 113 million Americans will wrap up 2022 by land, air and sea

’Tis the season to travel. AAA estimates 112.7 million people will journey 50 miles or more away from home from December 23 to January 2. That’s an increase of 3.6 million people over last year and closing in on pre-pandemic numbers. 2022 is expected to be the third-busiest year for holiday travel since AAA began tracking in 2000.

“With Christmas Day and New Year’s Day both falling on Sunday this year, more Americans are planning to travel to take advantage of those long holiday weekends,” said Bevi Powell, senior vice president, AAA East Central. “More people are using these much-needed breaks to reconnect with loved ones and recharge their batteries during the holiday-travel season.”

Nearly 102 million Americans will drive to their holiday destinations. Despite roller-coaster gas prices in 2022, this holiday season will see an additional 2 million drivers compared to 2021. Travel by car this year is on par with 2018 but shy of 2019 when 108 million Americans drove out of town for the holidays, the highest year on record.

Air travel will see a 14% increase over last year, with nearly 7.2 million Americans expected to fly. Flights and airports will be packed this holiday season, reminiscent of pre-pandemic days. Demand for flights has surged despite higher airline ticket prices. AAA expects the number of people taking holiday flights this year will come close to matching 2019, when 7.3 million Americans traveled by air.

Other modes of transportation are also rebounding in a big way. AAA estimates travel by bus, rail and cruise ship will rise to 3.6 million this holiday season, a 23% increase from last year and nearly 94% of 2019’s volume.

Mid-Atlantic region Year End Forecast Highlights:
*Region includes New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Method of Travel	Total Travelers	% Change from 2021
Automobile	11.5 million	+ 2.1
Air travel	868,000	+ 13.4
Other (bus, train, ship, etc.)	365,000	+ 28.2
Region Total	12.8 million	+ 3.4

 

 

Protect yourself — and your trip

AAA recommends working with a trusted travel advisor who can provide advice and serve as an advocate before, during and after a trip. Their extensive knowledge and expertise allow them to help travelers with questions related to travel insurance options, domestic and international destinations and attractions, what to do if last-minute changes to a trip are needed and much more. To get started and to learn more, visit AAA.com/Travel.

 

Theme parks, Vegas & NYC top holiday getaways
Theme parks in Orlando and southern California, Las Vegas and the iconic holiday destination of New York City top the list of the most popular destinations in the U.S. for the year-end holidays, based on advance national AAA Travel bookings:

 

Orlando, FL

Anaheim, CA

New York, NY

Boston, MA

Atlanta, GA

Tampa, FL

Phoenix, AZ

Las Vegas, NV

 

AAA to rescue almost 900,000 at the roadside

The more than 100 million Americans planning to drive over the holidays need to be prepared for slowdowns and breakdowns. AAA expects to respond to close to 900,000 calls for help. Before a trip, vehicles should be inspected to check key components like the battery, fuel system, tires, brakes and fluid levels to avoid an unnecessary breakdown. It’s important to do this as early as possible in case there is an issue that needs to be fixed.

 

Rushing Home for the Holidays

INRIX, a provider of transportation analytics and insights, expects the most congested days on the road to be Friday before Christmas, December 27 and 28, and on Monday, January 2, as travelers mix with commuters. In major metros, motorists could experience double the typical delays. Nationwide, motorists could see travel times up to 25% longer.

 

Best & Worst Times to Travel by Car

 

Date	Worst travel time	Best travel time
12/23/22	4:00-7:00 PM	Before 2:00 PM, After 8:00 PM
12/24/22	12:00-6:00 PM	Before 11:00 AM, After 7:00 PM
12/25/22 – Minimal Traffic Expected
12/26/22	2:00-6:00 PM	Before 12:00 PM, After 7:00 PM
12/27/22	3:00-7:00 PM	Before 2:00 PM, After 8:00 PM
12/28/22	3:00-7:00 PM	Before 2:00 PM, After 8:00 PM
12/29/22	3:00-7:00 PM	Before 2:00 PM, After 8:00 PM
12/30/22	3:00-7:00 PM	Before 2:00 PM, After 8:00 PM
12/31/22 – Minimal Traffic Expected
01/1/23 – Minimal Traffic Expected
01/2/23	4:00-7:00 PM	Before 3:00 PM, After 8:00 PM

Source: INRIX

 

Travel Forecast Methodology

In cooperation with AAA, S&P Global Market Intelligence developed a unique methodology to forecast actual domestic travel volumes. The economic variables used to forecast travel for the current holiday are leveraged from S&P Global Market Intelligence’s proprietary databases. These data include macroeconomic drivers such as employment, output, household net worth, asset prices, including stock indices, interest rates, housing market indicators and variables related to travel and tourism, including gasoline prices, airline travel and hotel stays. AAA and S&P Global Market Intelligence have quantified holiday travel volumes going back to 2000.

 

Historical travel volume estimates come from DK SHIFFLET’s TRAVEL PERFORMANCE/Monitor ^SM. The PERFORMANCE/Monitor ^SM is a comprehensive study measuring the travel behavior of U.S. residents. DK SHIFFLET contacts more than 50,000 U.S. households each month to obtain detailed travel data, resulting in the unique ability to estimate visitor volume and spending, identify trends and forecast U.S. travel behavior—all after the trips have been taken.

 

The travel forecast is reported in-person trips. AAA and S&P Global Market Intelligence forecast the total U.S. holiday travel volume and expected mode of transportation. The travel forecast presented in this report was prepared for the week of November 15, 2022.

 

About S&P Global Market Intelligence

S&P Global Market Intelligence is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI). S&P Global is the world’s foremost provider of credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity and automotive markets. With every offering,  many of the world’s leading organizations are able to navigate the economic landscape so they can plan for tomorrow today.

 

About INRIX 

Founded in 2004, INRIX pioneered intelligent mobility solutions by transforming big data from connected devices and vehicles into mobility insights. This revolutionary approach enabled INRIX to become one of the leading providers of data and analytics into how people move. By empowering cities, businesses and people with valuable insights, INRIX is helping to make the world smarter, safer and greener. With partners and solutions spanning across the entire mobility ecosystem, INRIX is uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology and transportation – whether it’s keeping road users safe, improving traffic-signal timing to reduce delay and greenhouse gasses, optimizing last-mile delivery or helping uncover market insights.

 

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 70 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.  News releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

 

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Christmas is coming soon, but so is the new year–and the County Commissioners’ agenda for their December 14 meeting was heavily pointed towards many new things that will start appearing in 2023.

Among those new things will be the final renovation/replacement to the outdoor courts at Brady’s Run Park. According to Parks & Recreation director Tony Caltury, the pieces for the new outdoor court for “dek” hockey have arrived: “They’re waiting for a stretch of a two or three day window where it’s decent weather where there’s no precipitation, so that should be done in the next couple of weeks.” Caltury also updated the Commissioners on the new Zamboni headed to the Ice Arena; the machine is set to be delivered in January 2023.

EMS director Eric Brewer spoke about the new Motorola radios that were installed at the Beaver County Jail; one of the many facets of Beaver County essential services receiving the radio system upgrades. “We did a walkthrough yesterday with Motorola,” Brewer stated. “Everything’s gonna start at the beginning of the year, but there’s progress on the jail’s radio station system.”

The resolutions for the December 15 public meeting were then presented to the Commissioners by Solicitor Garen Fedeles; among them was a resolution to approve the Final 2023 Budget for Beaver County. The public can still view the adopted draft of the 194-page budget on the Beaver County website until it is voted upon at 10:00 AM on December 15.

The Commissioners took a brief moment to acknowledge and wish the best to retired Beaver County Radio general manager Mark Peterson, whom the Commissioners had known and worked with for decades. “When I was a township supervisor for the fire department, Mark got a job at the radio station. We both had brown hair back then,” Commissioner Tony Amadio reminisced. “He was selling advertisments, and I was buying advertisements for the Fireman’s Fair.” Commissioner Jack Manning thanked Mark for his cooperation with the Commissioners, adding that he “wishes his wife and his family well.”

Members from CCBC and the Beaver Valley Airport ended the meeting with a proposition for the Commissioners to help with a possible addition of a public-use terminal to the airport in Chippewa Township. The BVI/CCBC “task force” members spoke about seeking approval for funding and verification from the FAA in the Spring of 2023, which would mean that the designs for the new terminal would have to be completed over the next few months. The cost of building the new facility would depend on the details of the submitted designs (should they be submitted).

The next work session is scheduled for December 21 at 10:00 AM.

FILE- In this Feb. 5, 2018, file photo, the seal of the Board of Governors of the United States Federal Reserve System is displayed in the ground at the Marriner S. Eccles Federal Reserve Board Building in Washington. The Federal Reserve reinforced its inflation fight Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, by raising its key interest rate for the seventh time this year and signaling more hikes to come. But the Fed announced a smaller hike than it had in its past four meetings at a time when inflation is showing signs of easing. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve reinforced its inflation fight by raising its key interest rate for the seventh time this year and signaling more hikes to come. But the Fed announced a smaller hike than it had in its past four meetings at a time when inflation is showing signs of easing. Though lower than its previous three-quarter-point hikes, the latest move will further increase the costs of many consumer and business loans and the risk of a recession. The policymakers also signaled that they are prepared to raise their benchmark rate by an additional three-quarters of a point and leave it there through 2023. Some economists had expected that the Fed would project only an additional half-point increase.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A new report says a southeastern Pennsylvania county ran a juvenile detention center where troubled teens were beaten up by guards, sexually harassed and locked in seclusion for long periods without a court order. The 208-page grand jury report released Tuesday describes what the state attorney general’s office calls a “dangerous lack of oversight” over underpaid, overworked and poorly trained guards at the 66-bed Delaware County Juvenile Detention Center. The report didn’t recommend any charges, in part because of time limits in state laws for prosecuting. Still, the grand jury says the conduct they heard about could be criminal, and they suspect many more criminal acts may have occurred there.