(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has opened a public comment period on proposed regulations that would formally add consumer protection provisions to the state’s residential utility service rules.

The proposal was approved by the commission in February and was recently published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, beginning the formal public review process.

According to the PUC, the proposed changes would amend portions of Chapter 56 of the Pennsylvania Code and incorporate consumer protection standards that have long guided residential utility service, creating a more consistent regulatory framework for both consumers and utility companies.

According to a release from the PUC, here is more information on this comment period and the link to comment:

Submitting Comments

Under the schedule established in the NOPR:

• Initial comments must be filed by July 29th, 2026.
• Reply comments must be filed by August 28th, 2026.

 

Comments may be submitted electronically through the PUC’s eFiling system by clicking here or by mail to the Commission Secretary, as detailed in the Pennsylvania Bulletin publication and the NOPR.

 

The proposed rulemaking will also be reviewed by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) and the appropriate legislative standing committees as part of Pennsylvania’s regulatory review process.

 

Additional information regarding the proposed rulemaking, including filing instructions and related documents, is available through the Commission’s website and eDocket system.

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Robinson Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported that a 58-year-old Pittsburgh man was not charged following a two-vehicle crash in Robinson Township yesterday. 

According to police, Gary Schroeder was driving on Steubenville Pike near McKees Rocks Road at about 4:19 p.m. when his vehicle struck a vehicle driven by 19-year-old Logan Rosensteel of Moon Township. 

Police said Rosensteel was waiting for oncoming traffic while attempting to make a left turn at the time of the crash. No injuries were reported. 

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported yesterday that charges against a 57-year-old Harmony man were withdrawn following a two-vehicle crash in Allegheny County on Friday. 

According to police, Eric Ditullio was driving on Interstate 79 in Marshall Township at about 5:41 p.m. when his vehicle rear-ended a vehicle driven by 54-year-old David Butler Jr. of Lakewood, New York. 

Police said no injuries were reported. 

(File Photo of Someone Texting while Driving)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania transportation and law enforcement officials are urging motorists to avoid distracted, impaired and aggressive driving as the state prepares for a busy summer travel season and several major events expected to draw millions of visitors.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission recently launched the summer safety campaign, citing increased traffic expected from events including the FIFA World Cup 26, the MLB All-Star Game and America250 celebrations.

Officials also reminded drivers that beginning June 5th, motorists convicted of violating Paul Miller’s Law, Pennsylvania’s ban on using a hand-held device while driving, will face a $50 fine in addition to court costs and fees.

State police and local law enforcement agencies will conduct impaired-driving checkpoints and roving patrols beginning June 15th through the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

According to PennDOT, there were 2,190 impaired-driving crashes across Pennsylvania between June and August 2025, resulting in 85 fatalities and 1,552 injuries. During the same period, 952 crashes involving speeding resulted in 61 deaths and 818 injuries.

PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll urged motorists to put away their phones, obey speed limits and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Findlay Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported yesterday that a driver was involved in a single-vehicle crash in Findlay Township on Saturday. 

According to police, the driver was traveling westbound on Interstate 376 at about 12:27 a.m. when the vehicle struck a deer that entered the roadway. 

Police said no injuries were reported, and the driver was able to leave the scene without incident.

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A Butler resident has been sentenced in federal court to seven years of incarceration for illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon, U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti announced yesterday. 

U.S. District Judge W. Scott Hardy sentenced Thomas James Clark, 33, to 84 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. 

According to information presented in court, law enforcement officers arrested Clark on Jan. 20, 2024, on an outstanding warrant related to aggravated assault charges. Prosecutors said Clark dropped belongings he was carrying when he encountered officers. The items included an AR-15-style rifle without a serial number, a revolver and dozens of rounds of ammunition. 

Court records show Clark had previous convictions in Butler County for methamphetamine production and criminal conspiracy. Federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms or ammunition. 

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives attend a session at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., Thursday, June 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Representative Marla Brown (R-Lawrence) released the following statement yesterday regarding her stance on data center development in Pennsylvania:

“As Pennsylvania continues to attract interest from data center developers, it is important that we balance economic opportunity with responsible oversight. With increasing demand for artificial intelligence, Pennsylvania is seeing a growing interest from developers looking to build large-scale data centers across the Commonwealth. My record shows I have supported bipartisan efforts to increase transparency, strengthen oversight and give local communities a greater voice. I voted in favor of two Democrat-sponsored bills addressing data center development because I believe good policy should always come before politics. I voted for House Bill 2150, which would require data centers to report their energy and water usage, and House Bill 2151, which would direct the state to develop model zoning guidance to help municipalities address future development. Both bills were sponsored by Democratic lawmakers and received bipartisan support. I also introduced House Bill 2588, which would prohibit data centers from being built on prime farmland that is currently in active agricultural use. The legislation is designed to preserve Pennsylvania’s most productive agricultural land while allowing data center development to continue in more appropriate locations. Data centers can bring investment, construction jobs and long-term economic growth to Pennsylvania. At the same time, municipalities need clear guidance and sufficient time to evaluate how these large-scale projects may impact local infrastructure, land use, water resources and energy demand. It is also important the costs associated with serving these facilities do not fall on homeowners, seniors and small businesses through higher utility bills. Large-scale developments should be planned responsibly, with transparency, local input, and protections for ratepayers. I will continue supporting policies that encourage investment and innovation while ensuring local communities have a voice, local governments have the tools they need, and Pennsylvania families are protected.”