Energy and utility cost affordability
Rising utility costs (nearly a third over five years) and broader affordability pressures are cited by the governor as reasons for budget measures aimed at lowering energy and housing costs. Energy policy goals were among items not fully resolved in the final budget, keeping cost-of-living and energy issues salient for Pennsylvanians.
What should Pennsylvania do about rising energy and utility costs?
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Sources
Governor Josh Shapiro — https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2026-press-releases/gov-shapiro-2026-27-budget-proposal-to-keep-doing-what-s-working
Rising costs are real for Pennsylvanians: health insurance premiums have doubled for nearly 500,000 residents, more than 70,000 have dropped coverage, grocery bills keep climbing, and utility costs have risen nearly a third over the last five years. The 2026-27 budget builds on the Shapiro Administration’s work to ease these pressures
Lehigh Valley Public Media — https://www.lehighvalleypublicmedia.org/news/allentown/pa-passes-50-8-billion-budget-but-key-questions-remain
Policy goals around marijuana, minimum wage, public transit and energy weren't addressed in the 2026-27 budget, making the November elections more consequential
Governor's Budget Document — https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/budget/documents/publications-and-reports/commonwealthbudget/2026-27-budget-documents/2026-27%20budget%20document.web.v.3.pdf
Making Life More Affordable for Pennsylvanians by Cutting Taxes, Lowering Energy Costs, and Investing in Critical Infrastructure
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Aggressively subsidize clean energy and efficiency programs to cut household energy bills long-term
- Invest in mixed energy infrastructure and targeted relief to lower costs for families
- Focus on general tax cuts and market competition without major new energy mandates
- Expand domestic fossil fuel and traditional energy production to drive prices down
- Remove green-energy requirements and prioritize the cheapest available energy sources