WHEREAS, Between July 2024 and June 2025, energy bills have risen over 11 percent while average residential usage was reportedly slightly down across Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Cuts to renewable energy tax credits are projected to increase individual energy bills by hundreds of dollars over the next decade; and
WHEREAS, The rise of additional energy superusers, in particular, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the related data centers that power it, have spiked demand while energy grid infrastructure hits capacity and federal investments are being cut; and
WHEREAS, The intersection of limited supply growth, demand side pressures, and higher operating costs have forced prices up per kilowatt hour across the United States, including in Pennsylvania which has historically had some of the highest costs nationally; and
WHEREAS, Climate change, the need for infrastructure investment, and pricing volatility are all likely to accelerate and drive consumer prices even higher; and
WHEREAS, City Council and the City more generally have a responsibility to investigate the costs borne by its residents, address any problems it can and study models and options for ensuring clean, safe affordable power for all; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Committee on Legislative Oversight and the Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities be authorized to hold joint hearings to investigate the rising costs of energy bills, what is driving those increases, and what the City can and can’t do to address why our utility bills are so high.
End