WILKES-BARRE — Strategies to prevent future electric bill hikes across Northeast Pennsylvania were reviewed during a public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Sen. Dave Argall, R-Pottsville, and Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Williamsport, who is the chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
“We should all agree that to limit even higher electricity prices, we need more energy production and fewer regulations — both here in Pennsylvania and especially in many of our neighboring states,” Argall said. “Our neighboring states’ failed energy policies are driving up our electric bills right here in Shenandoah and across all of Pennsylvania.”
“For years, aggressive renewable energy mandates have pushed dependable, round-the-clock power plants into early retirement, all while demand is increasing,” Yaw said. “If this trend continues, consumers could face higher electricity costs, reliability concerns and power shortages. We need to build more reliable baseload generation, starting yesterday.”
Neal Lesher, vice president of government affairs for the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, noted Pennsylvania is the top electricity exporter and a top supplier of natural gas, coal and refined petroleum products, but a mismatch in timing between the retirement of generation sources and the integration of new sources is driving up prices and risking electric grid reliability.
The impact of this is compounded by the closure of power plants in neighboring states like Maryland and Virginia due to aggressive climate policies. Since these states are also part of the regional electric grid, PJM (Pennsylvania/New Jersey/Maryland), their lack of generation and increased demand drives up electric bills for Pennsylvania families.
Shelby Linton-Keddie, senior director of public and external affairs for PPL Electric Utilities, shared that PJM has repeatedly warned that generation retirements exceed the building of new power plants, while demand is increasing due to electrification, manufacturing growth and large-load operations like data centers.
“We need to meet our energy needs and protect our environment,” Argall said. “Unlike 50 or 100 years ago, our laws are much stricter in regulating how and where employers and utilities can operate in our local communities, which is why we now see people fishing in local streams that were once hopelessly polluted, and the mountains around many of our local towns are now green, unlike the browns and grays and blacks I remember from my childhood.”
Rep. Meuser co-sponsors legislation to extend successful tax cut for small businesses
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, this week co-sponsored H.R. 8415, the Small Business Tax Cut Act, which would lower taxes for millions of small businesses by strengthening the Section 199A Small Business Deduction.
Specifically, Meuser said the legislation would increase the Section 199A Small Business Deduction from 20% to 23%, allowing pass-through businesses to retain more of their earnings to reinvest in their operations, hire workers, and grow.
Meuser said the Small Business Tax Cut Act builds on the permanent extension of the Section 199A deduction enacted last year through the Working Families Tax Cut and would further strengthen tax relief for Main Street businesses.
For small businesses, the impact has been especially meaningful, with the law reducing taxes for roughly 12 million small business owners.
The congressman said the permanent extension of the Small Business Deduction alone is providing an average of about $4,600 in tax relief to 8 million entrepreneurs across the country. After the Small Business Deduction was made permanent, Rep. Meuser said business investment increased sharply.
According to data cited by the U.S. Treasury Department, business investment rose nearly 10% at an annual rate in the first half of 2026. Business equipment production rose 23% in the first quarter and another 11% in the second quarter.
“Over a year ago, Republicans in Congress made the Small Business Deduction permanent in the Working Families Tax Cut,” said Meuser. “The Small Business Tax Cut Act builds off this success, expanding a tax credit which will help small businesses throughout this country thrive. Increasing the deduction to 23% would build on this momentum by providing additional savings, allowing small businesses to keep more of their hard-earned income to reinvest in their businesses, hire workers, and expand their operations.”
Meuser said the Small Business Tax Cut Act was re-referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means for further consideration.
Sen. Culver, Rep. Stehr to host Senior Expo at Knoebels Sept. 9
Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver, R-27, and Rep. Joanne Stehr, R-107, will host their annual Senior Expo on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pavilion J at Knoebels Amusement Resort, 391 Knoebels Blvd., Elysburg.
The free event will bring together government agencies, senior organizations and other exhibitors to provide information about programs, services and resources available to older Pennsylvanians and their families. The expo will also feature health screenings and door prizes.
“Our Senior Expo gives residents an opportunity to speak directly with organizations that provide services they may need, all in one location,” Culver said. “Rep. Stehr and I look forward to welcoming everyone back to Knoebels and connecting seniors and their families with useful information and resources.”
Lunch will be served throughout the expo. Attendees are asked to register for the free luncheon online at senatorculver.com/sr-expo-constituent or by calling 570-206-9207.
As part of Hunger Action Month, attendees are also encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to the Senior Expo. The collection is part of a month-long food drive running Sept. 1 through Sept. 30, with items collected at Senator Culver’s district office to be provided to local food banks.
Admission to the event is free.
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Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.