Robbins to Host Seminar on Home Heating Costs

Harrisburg – State Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) will host a Senior Seminar focusing on home heating costs in Meadville.

"While it's still the summer, before we know it, we will be turning our furnaces back on," said Sen. Robbins. "Despite the mild winter last year, residents still found themselves paying record heating bills because of high energy costs. Many seniors live on fixed incomes making them less able to absorb the spike in heating costs into their budgets. This seminar will focus on the programs that are available to help consumers pay their bills as well as how conservation can lower bills."

The free seminar will be held on August 31st, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the headquarters of Active Aging, Inc., located at the Lew Davies Community Center, 1034 Park Avenue, Meadville. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and light refreshments will be provided.

Representatives from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), First Energy Corp., National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp. (NFG), and Crawford County Weatherization Program will be on hand to discuss tips on saving energy, programs available to help with energy bills and the changes to the utility shut-off law.

The seminar builds on Sen. Robbins' focus on finding ways to help low-income seniors and families find relief from home-heating costs that have sky rocketed in recent years.

"Last winter -- for the first time ever -- the Commonwealth supplemented its federal LIHEAP funding to ensure that those in need had help with high energy costs," said Sen. Robbins. "That was one-time only funding. But for low-income families and seniors, the financial struggles associated with heating costs are something they face every year. With them in mind, I introduced legislation, the 'Heat On Act,' which would not only maximize federal LIHEAP dollars by leveraging all available resources, but expand eligibility for the program and ensure greater accountability."

Seniors are encouraged to register for Senator Robbins' seminar in advance by contacting Pam Green in Senator Robbins' Meadville Office at 814-336-2760.

Please note that this seminar will not focus on the recent rate increase requested by NFG, but rather is designed to help seniors learn about ways they can lower their home-heating costs and the programs available to help them pay their bills. At Sen. Robbins' request, the PUC will hold public hearings on the NFG proposed rate increase including two in his district. The hearings will be held on August 29th at 2:00 p.m. at the William Douglas Corporate Conference Center (764 Bessemer Street) in Meadville and at 7:00 p.m. at the Farrell City Building (500 Roemer Boulevard) in Farrell.

CONTACT:

Pam Green
814-336-2760