On January 11, at City Council Chambers, Southern Market Center, the office of State Representative Mike Sturla hosted an “energy fair” for city residents eager to cut down on home energy costs in the wake of statewide deregulation. The event, according to legislative assistant Vanessa Rodriguez, was recently planned by Sturla in response to the frequent queries of his constituents.
“We were getting a lot of calls because of the electric rate cap and also with the heat programs,” Rodriguez said, “With things getting cold, a lot of people were asking for information, asking questions, so that’s how he came up with the idea of making the fair.” According to Rodriguez, the event has only been in the works for a few weeks.
Thirty-four residents had signed up for the fair, Rodriguez said; however, within the first twenty minutes she had already seen about six unregistered walk-ins.
Visitors were encouraged to bring along their most recent electricity bill. Representatives from the Lancaster County Assistance Office, PP&L, PA Office of Consumer Advocate, the Public Utility Commission, and the Department of Environmental Protection set up stands where visitors could talk through supplier alternatives, assistance programs, and energy conservation tips.
Wayne Bonkowski, manager of the Assistance Office, spoke with visitors regarding the offerings of the State’s Energy Assistance for Low-Income Households program. Bonkowski’s kept a stack of program applications at the stand to distribute to those interested. For this winter, he said, the office has already received 10,000 completed applications—right on pace to match last year’s receipt of 15,000, according to Bonkowski. But eligibility standards for this year, Bonkowski noted, are actually tighter than last.
“A lot of people are out of work,” Bonkowski said, “People are struggling.”
Most of the stands were decked with rows of pamphlets, many delineating the steps a homeowner must take to improve their home’s energy efficiency. One man, who spoke anonymously, said that he had not yet learned anything at the fair. But that might change once he gets home and reads through his pile of materials, he noted.
City resident Rodger Laudenberger said that the event was well worth his time. “Everything today involves energy saving. And I’m interested in getting my house into proper order to save money. That’s what it’s all about.” Laudenberger later added, “If you leave here with one little bit of information, you’re far better than what you were before.”
“This place should be packed,” Laudenberger asserted.
The fair will run from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.
