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Utility shut-off protections in Pa. would be expanded to summer months under bill

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Utility shut-off protections in Pa. would be expanded to summer months under bill


This story originally appeared on Spotlight PA.

Pennsylvania lawmakers have until the end of 2024 to reauthorize a key area of state law that protects low-income utility customers from sudden shut-offs when behind on their bills, and some are taking advantage of the deadline to push for new consumer protections.

The law, enacted in 2004 and reauthorized every 10 years, was designed to both shield people from losing heat in winter and give utility companies more options to collect unpaid bills, with an eye on keeping rates down for all consumers.

With another reauthorization looming, consumer advocates are trying to make a case that the law favors utility companies over households, and they’re pitching changes that include a moratorium on summer shut-offs.

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As with every issue in a divided legislature, the fate of those provisions is tied to backroom bargaining between the Democratic-controlled state House and the Republican-controlled state Senate.

“We expect conversations to be robust throughout the course of calendar year 2024,” state Rep. Rob Matzie (D., Beaver), chair of the state House Consumer Protection, Utilities & Technology Committee, said during a hearing Wednesday.

In its current form, the law represents a compromise. It took discretion away from the state’s Public Utility Commission to design specific repayment plans and allowed utilities to require full repayment, plus fees, before restarting service.

However, it also includes protections for customers, some of which apply only to people who meet certain income requirements.

Protections include requiring electric, gas, and water companies to contact customers before shutting off services; banning electric and gas utility disconnections in winter; and allowing customers to dispute their bills. Customers can also provide a doctor’s note that shows a member of the household has a medical condition that “requires the continuation of service” to block a shut-off.

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Reauthorizing the law as written isn’t controversial, according to Stephen DeFrank, chair of the state Public Utility Commission.

“I think that this is a worthwhile review. I think that it’s good to do this every 10 years,” he told Spotlight PA. “And I think that should continue … The landscape is ever-changing, and we need to be cognizant of that.”

The commission has backed some tweaks to the law, including one that would give the agency more flexibility to set up repayment plans. Consumer advocates also have ideas about how to improve the law to better protect vulnerable Pennsylvanians.

Elizabeth Marx — executive director of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project, a nonprofit that provides legal aid to individuals struggling with utility bills — told lawmakers at a hearing Wednesday that the law is “punitive,” particularly by allowing for additional fees, fines, and deposits that can compound a low-income household’s debt.

Rather than lower costs, Marx said, the law has “exacerbated utility insecurity and resulted in stark disparities in debt levels and termination rates for economically vulnerable Pennsylvanians.”

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In her written testimony, Marx said that as of 2021, low-income households held just over 50% of electric utility debt and 30% of gas utility debt. She also noted that despite the law, utility shut-offs for low-income customers have still spiked in times of high energy prices.

A proposal from Matzie attempts to address these concerns.

Under his reauthorization bill, utilities would be banned from charging customers deposits for setting up service and reconnection fees if they are restarting service.

It would also create a moratorium on utility shut-offs during July and August, expand existing protections to water customers, require utilities to pre-screen customers for payment assistance programs, and give the state Public Utility Commission more flexibility to create longer-term payment plans for customers behind on their bills.

“Consumer is the first word in the name of our committee,” Matzie said Wednesday during a hearing on his proposal. He also acknowledged a need to balance expanded protections with utilities’ concerns.

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Parts of central Pa. not getting snow overnight have a greater chance later this week

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Parts of central Pa. not getting snow overnight have a greater chance later this week


From minor snow and ice accumulations to almost 50-degree weather with sunny skies, and then a potential winter storm coming later this week, central Pennsylvania is getting it all, meteorologists said Monday night.

Tuesday’s winter storm is forecast to affect northern parts of the state, leaving the Harrisburg area mostly out of the drama, as meteorologists say a winter weather advisory will start at 1 a.m. for the following counties: Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Cameron, Elk, McKean and Potter.

But the Harrisburg area and southeastern parts of the state will not be heavily affected by the wintry mix, as National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist John Banghoff said residents will see light snow that will transition into rain before 8 a.m.

There’s a chance of rain showers between 8 and 10 a.m., before the clouds eventually break. Highs will get into the mid-40s.

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“We don’t expect any significant winter weather impacts for the Harrisburg area and southeast Tuesday morning,” Banghoff told PennLive.

The snow accumulation could be less than a half inch on Tuesday. Winds will pick up Tuesday night, with gusts to 25 mph and temperatures falling into the mid-30s, he said.

Christmas Eve will bring sunny skies with temperatures around 47.

Late Christmas Eve into Christmas morning, some areas, especially the southwest, might see light rain. In the central mountains, there could be a light mix of rain and snow.

Starting Christmas Day, temperatures are expected to again reach the mid-40s with the possibility of scattered rain showers, he said.

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However, residents should take precaution with traveling on Friday, as meteorologists are monitoring a potential winter storm that could get messy, according to Banghoff.

Despite the uncertainty in terms of how Friday’s winter storm evolves, he said the northeast will see heavy snow, while the southwest will have a high chance of ice. Central Pennsylvania is in the zone of getting a mix of snow, ice and rain, he said.

“Whether it’s snow, sleet, freezing rain, or rain, there is increasing confidence that there could be fairly widespread impacts from a potential winter storm on Friday,” Banghoff said.

He’s telling residents who plan on traveling after Christmas to pay close attention to the forecast before hitting the road, as it might not be a great travel day.

In the aftermath of the storm, Saturday will be cloudy, with a high near 41. On Sunday, residents could see a chance of showers and cloudy skies, with a high near 47.

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Could marijuana be legalized in Pennsylvania next year?

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Could marijuana be legalized in Pennsylvania next year?


(WHTM)– Recreational marijuana is not legal in Pennsylvania despite urging from a majority of Democrats in the legislature, but that could change in the new year due to an unlikely advocate.

President Trump issued an executive order last week moving marijuana from a Schedule I drug, which means highly addictive, to a Schedule III drug, which is less addictive with some medical benefit.

Many see this as the president legitimizing marijuana and giving political cover for Republicans, who have been resistant to supporting legalization.

The executive order also called for more solid research on the benefits and harms of marijuana.

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John Gallagher, a researcher, addiction specialist, and professor at Alvernia University, voiced support for more research. He said more research is needed and won’t wade into the political debate over whether to legalize it.

He also said the marijuana industry’s claim that it is not addictive is not true.

“I go back to the two things that we know. Without a doubt, cannabis is absolutely an addicting drug for some. And cannabis absolutely has withdrawal symptoms for some people become dependent on it,” Gallagher said.

He added that it’s appropriate that it was re-classified from schedule one to schedule three because its addictiveness is not the same as that of some schedule one substances.

Gallagher suspects Pennsylvania will legalize adult-use cannabis, given all surrounding states have. He also said there hasn’t been enough research on its medical benefits.

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Pennsylvania Lottery Pick 2 Day, Pick 2 Evening results for Dec. 21, 2025

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The Pennsylvania Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 results for each game:

Winning Pick 2 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Day: 6-9, Wild: 1

Evening: 8-1, Wild: 0

Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Day: 5-8-0, Wild: 1

Evening: 0-8-5, Wild: 0

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Day: 0-7-4-5, Wild: 1

Evening: 6-3-0-0, Wild: 0

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Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Day: 3-8-7-2-8, Wild: 1

Evening: 1-5-1-3-2, Wild: 0

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

15-25-30-40-55, Cash Ball: 02

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Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

11-20-31-36-38

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Treasure Hunt numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

05-11-13-25-27

Check Treasure Hunt payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Match 6 Lotto numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

08-29-32-33-35-45

Check Match 6 Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

  • Sign the Ticket: Ensure your ticket has your signature, name, address and phone number on the back.
  • Prizes up to $600: Claim at any PA Lottery retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
  • Prizes from $600 to $2,500: Use a Claim Form to claim at a retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
  • Prizes over $2,500: Mail your signed ticket with a Claim Form or in person at a Lottery Area Office (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Lottery Headquarters is currently not open to the public. Visit the PA Lottery website for other office locations near you.

When are the Pennsylvania Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
  • Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: 1:35 p.m. and 6:59 p.m. daily.
  • Cash4Life: 9 p.m. daily.
  • Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. daily.
  • Treasure Hunt: 1:35 p.m. daily.
  • Match 6 Lotto: 6:59 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
  • Powerball Double Play: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Pennsylvania editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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