BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A local state representative and a statewide group advocating for the environment are speaking out about rising energy prices.
They held a news conference in Bethlehem Thursday morning.
Democratic state Rep. Steve Samuelson and Conservation of Voters PA say rising energy prices are putting a strain on families in the Lehigh Valley.
Speakers say excessive heat and new data centers, as well as supply disruption due to the war in Iran, are ramping up energy demand.
They say the need for cheaper, cleaner energy is greater than ever.
Julianne Simitz, the director of development with Conservation of Voters Pennsylvania, spoke about how she says rising electric costs have impacted her.
“I felt that personally. My 79-year-old mother recently got a PPL bill for over $1,100 in a single month for a ranch house in Whitehall. These costs are not happening in a vacuum,” Simitz said.
Speakers at Thursday’s news conference accuse President Trump of pushing for federal rollbacks, which they say have been backed by Congressman Ryan Mackenzie, including home energy tax credits, fast-tracking huge data centers, gutting fuel economy standards, and blocking EV infrastructure investments.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Congressman Ryan Mackenzie said:
“Unlike Gov. Shapiro, who unilaterally fast-tracked data centers in PA, Congressman Mackenzie has been working to pass legislation that protects consumers from higher electricity costs from data centers and other projects. While some push to return to the failed energy policies of the previous administration, Congressman Mackenzie continues to support commonsense, all-of-the-above energy policies that reduce costs, increase choice, and protect consumers.”