Electricity is no longer a convenience in our society; it is a necessity. With the accelerating pace of innovation, the rate of consumption will only increase. Energy demand in the U.S. is projected to grow 9% by 2028, and 18% by 2033, straining an electric grid already supporting updated technologies on aging infrastructure. Businesses with outsized energy needs may disproportionately contribute to that strain, driving up ratepayers’ utility bills during a time when many are already struggling to make ends meet.

That is why I will soon be introducing legislation establishing the Energy Usage Reimbursement Fund supported by a fee collected from Pennsylvania’s heaviest energy users. These funds will be distributed to ratepayers in the form of local community benefits, utility affordability programs, and direct payments to residential ratepayers.

As families face expensive utility bills, this legislation will help offset the impact on ratepayers caused by increased energy usage by the heaviest energy users across the Commonwealth. Please join me in supporting this commonsense fairness measure.