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Increasingly, people across the U.S. are struggling to pay their utility bills as the price of electricity soars because of supply costs and an increased demand from sources like data centers.

Gas bills are also on the rise, with Philadelphia Gas Works customers facing a $6 increase on average to their monthly bills, starting Dec. 1.

The effects are evident in states like Pennsylvania, where utility shutoffs have increased by 21% this year, leaving ratepayers in the dark.

The termination of a person’s utilities can have dire consequences, especially for kids, older ratepayers and people living with chronic health conditions.

“A shutoff in a very cold month can not only lead to health consequences for the household living in very, very cold conditions, it can also lead to structural damage to the home because the loss of utilities during those times can cause pipes to burst and all sorts of other things,” said Sarah Spangler Rhine, deputy director at Community Legal Aid Society in Delaware.

As temperatures drop in the Philadelphia region, however, some ratepayers will be protected from shutoffs.

Here’s what you need to know about winter shutoff moratorium programs in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. During this period, ratepayers will be able to keep their heat and lights on even when they’re behind on their bills.

Joe Silver’s 1-yard run scoring run has extended Delaware’s lead to 31-14 with 2:01 left in the first half over UTEP at Delaware Stadium.

The 6-play, 62-yard drive featured Nick Minicucci’s 47-yard pass to Kyre Duplessis on the play before the touchdown.

UTEP had just cut the Blue Hens’ lead to 24-14 with 5:05 left in the second period when Skyler Locklear passed 64 yards to Josh Schuchts his second long TD toss.  

Matthews, Moul plays spark Hens

Delaware has turned two more big defensive plays into points.

Blake Matthews stopped Miners running back Ashten Emory for no gain on fourth-and-2 from the UTEP 42.

Delaware then added Nate Reed’s 37-yard field goal with 10:24 left in the first half to extend its lead to 17-7.

But the Blue Hens quickly added to that on Gavin Moul’s 16-yard return of a fumble for another TD that made it 24-7.

Delaware has outgained the Miners 178-74 in total yards.

Freshman Scott Moore gets first TD

After being stopped on downs at the UTEP 37 on one series, Delaware covered the necessary ground on the next to extend its lead.

The Blue Hens lead the Miners 14-7 at Delaware Stadium after a 4-yard TD pass to freshman tight end Scott Moore with 14:26 left in the second quarter.

Delaware ate up big chunks of yardage on the 9-play, 69-yard march, which was all first and second downs. Nick Minicucci’s 12-yard pass to running back Joe Silver, back after missing several games with an injury, was the longest.

The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Laura Sturgeon, D-Brandywine Hundred, created an independent inspector general office tasked with finding instances of fraud, waste and abuse within state government and the General Assembly. Once chosen, the appointee will hire a staff, which is required to be certified in investigation, auditing or evaluation within three years. The inspector general has subpoena power authority to compel document production and issue public reports exposing corruption and wrongdoing.

The selection panel includes Sturgeon, Secretary of State Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez and members of the Delaware Bar Association and Association of Chiefs of Police. It also includes members of the public and community activists. Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings chairs the panel.

“I’m excited that we’re finally at this point where we’re taking in applications and I just can’t wait for Delaware to have an inspector general to create another layer of accountability, transparency and trust in our state government,” Sturgeon said.

Applicants should have a record of integrity and ethical leadership, and experience in government oversight, investigations or public accountability, according to the State Department website.

The list of criteria for evaluating candidates includes requiring applicants to have 10 years of expertise in areas such as law, financial analysis, accounting, ethics or auditing. The ideal candidate would have prior experience in an office of inspector general.

DELCOG board member Keith Steck is on the subcommittee that created a list of qualifications for the job description. Steck, who has worked in an inspector general’s office at the federal level, said he is looking for someone with certain skills.

“They have to set up the function of the office administratively and the IG has to be independent,” he said. “That’s going to be an important point, I think. And then clearly investigative experience.”

The pick for inspector general will serve a five-year term.

While the state Attorney General and Auditor do investigations, Steck and other advocates said an Office of the Inspector General will not replace or duplicate the work of those agencies, a concern of those opposed to its creation.