SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) \u2014 Constituents and advocacy groups rallied outside Sen. Dave McCormick\u2019s Scranton office on St. Patrick\u2019s Day to call for action on energy affordability and highlight rising costs that have strained family budgets across Northeastern Pennsylvania. <\/p>\n
The St. Patrick\u2019s Day Rally for Affordable Energy drew participants wearing green and carrying signs. Organizers leaned into the holiday theme to underscore what they describe as the excessive \u201cgreen\u201d families are spending on utility bills and the sense that many are feeling anything but lucky when they open them. Participants were encouraged to bring their utility bills and share personal stories about the impact of energy costs. <\/p>\n
Behind them, a giant inflatable \u201cfat cat\u201d known as Mister Riggs appeared at the rally, a mascot organizers use to symbolize what they call a system rigged against working families.<\/p>\n
The rally sought to spotlight energy affordability while calling on McCormick and Rep. Bresnahan to respond to constituents\u2019 concerns, with organizers pointing to congressional action last summer they say repealed clean energy tax credits and urging the two lawmakers to support policies that keep energy bills from climbing.<\/p>\n
Jessica Brittain, communications director for Action Together NEPA, said residents are being forced to make trade-offs as electric and other household costs climb, including rent, groceries and health care, with some residents facing sharply higher health insurance costs. Brittain also pointed to growing discussion about data centers, saying residents want safeguards so new development does not drive up local electric costs.<\/p>\n
The rally was part of Action Together NEPA\u2019s Show Up\/Speak Out campaign to hold lawmakers accountable, bringing together advocacy groups such as Affordable Pennsylvania, Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvanians Together and For Our Future Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we just want people to know that they do have an opportunity to take action and to speak out, and that they need to be letting their elected officials know that they\u2019re struggling, and that we expect those folks to do something about it. The people in positions of power have a responsibility, and what we need is them on the ground doing work that actually makes life more affordable for their constituents,\u201d said Brittain.<\/p>\n
Organizers said they collected postcards at the rally for constituents to send to McCormick and Bresnahan, and they plan to continue outreach and encourage residents to stay involved on energy affordability issues.<\/p>\n