“The governor’s address was a positive first step in the budget process,” said Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus. “The proposed budget plan would deliver needed investments to our public schools, our workforce, and initiatives to make life more affordable for Beaver County residents – all without adding any new taxes." Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 3 – On Monday, the PA House Energy Committee voted to advance legislation aimed at protecting consumers from rising costs associated with data center projects. Separately, the committee heard testimony on bills that would enhance reporting and transparency from data centers and provide local officials with a model ordinance to guide responsible development.Data center projects are rapidly proliferating nationwide due to the explosive growth of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and video streaming.As chair of the House Energy Committee, state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., has made it a priority to shield consumers from bearing additional costs related to these projects.“People’s bills are too high. We need to do everything we can to keep bills down and ensure the heat and lights come on when Pennsylvanians need them,” said Fiedler. “Affordability and reliability are at the heart of the work we are doing on the Energy Committee, and these bills are a key part of that. Without accountability, big for-profit tech companies could try to push more costs onto everyday consumers.”The Data Center Consumer Protection Bill (H.B. 1834), sponsored by state Rep. Robert Matzie, D-Beaver, was amended and approved by the committee. A public hearing on the bill was held in October 2025. If enacted, the legislation would protect ratepayers by establishing a regulatory framework for data centers operating in Pennsylvania.“Today’s vote brings us one step closer to... Read more
“Preventing food waste is a major challenge for our local food banks and pantries, but we can help them deal with the problem by ensuring that they have the infrastructure needed to safely store and transport perishable supplies,” Matzie said. “The new grants will help do that by funding refrigeration equipment, vehicles and other resources to ensure more food reaches families in need and fewer supplies end up going to waste.” Read more
“Our district’s first responders are dedicated, talented, and fearless,” Matzie said. “They stand between our community and danger, and they ask nothing in return but to have the resources they need to do their lifesaving work. I was proud to help secure this funding so that our frontline heroes have the safe facilities they deserve and the equipment they need to respond when the next call comes in.” Read more
“I was glad to help drive out these dollars to support structural improvements around the district,” Matzie said. “Our municipalities need to keep pace with the constant demands of aging infrastructure, and this funding will help them do that.” Read more
“Modern signal equipment is essential for safe and efficient traffic flow,” Matzie said. “Securing the new funding will allow the township to upgrade this busy intersection with state-of-the-art equipment. The project will better protect motorists, pedestrians and cyclists and keep travel in the township running more smoothly.” Read more
“Delivering the services residents depend on to stay healthy, commute safely, and protect their families involves a lot of moving parts,” Matzie said. “These new grants will help our towns and cities upgrade aging infrastructure and replace outdated equipment, ensuring services run more efficiently while conserving taxpayer dollars. I’m grateful to the CFA and our regional partners for helping secure these funds.” Read more
“Nuclear energy is the key to a cleaner, more sustainable and more affordable energy future,” Matzie said. “Spreading awareness of the benefits of nuclear energy is vital to securing that future. That is why World Nuclear Energy Day is so important. I am proud to have sponsored H.R. 372 alongside Representative Tom Mehaffie, and equally proud to serve as co-chair with Representative Mehaffie and Senators John Kane and Lynda Culver of the Pennsylvania Nuclear Energy Caucus. We will continue, in a bipartisan fashion, to support nuclear energy as a safe, proven solution to the capacity challenges we face moving forward.” Read more
“Our local business and industry partners can be powerful drivers of change, particularly with incentives like tax credits to encourage investment in new projects,” Matzie said. “The nearly $900,000 in tax credits we secured will go to work leveraging investments in projects to grow our downtown, create new commercial and residential space, and bring new business – and jobs – to our community.” Read more
“It takes constant, coordinated efforts to properly serve and support crime survivors – particularly survivors of domestic and child abuse – and to bring the perpetrators to justice,” Matzie said. “The new funding will help ensure that our county’s talented forensic, law enforcement, social service and medical professionals have the resources they need to successfully investigate abuse, treat and support survivors and deliver justice." Read more
“We can never stand still in our workforce training, as technology keeps producing new tools, processes, and production methods designed to make our manufacturing more cutting-edge,” Matzie said. “We have the best workers in the world, and there isn’t anything they can’t do or learn. This new funding will help ensure that they have the skills they need to stay ahead of the curve and keep our PA industries competitive.” Read more
Pa. state Rep. Rob Matzie shares his dedication to forward-thinking energy policies that address rising utility costs. With the energy demands from data centers causing energy prices to soar, utility shutoffs are rapidly increasing. Matzie stresses that heating homes should be considered a necessity, not a luxury. Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 19 – Today, state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler and Danilo Burgos, both D-Phila., and Robert Matzie, D-Beaver, held a news conference to highlight the growing crisis of energy affordability and the steps PA House Democrats are taking to protect Pennsylvania ratepayers. As chairs of the House Energy Committee, the House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee, and the House Majority Caucus, respectively, the representatives shared their commitments to forward-thinking energy policy. Read more
“This budget was a long time coming this year, but I’m satisfied that the plan we sent to the governor today will deliver critical funding to our schools, counties, and programs and services,” said Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus. “I supported the new budget because it spends responsibly while delivering strong investments for our public schools and other critical programs – all without adding any new taxes or tapping into the state’s Rainy Day Fund.” Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct 23 – Yesterday, PA House Energy Committee Chair Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., convened a public hearing on legislation introduced by state Rep. Robert Matzie, D-Beaver. House Bill 1834 would authorize the Public Utility Commission to establish a regulatory framework for data centers operating in the Commonwealth. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 21 – Today, Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., and Rep. Robert Matzie, D-Beaver, introduced a resolution urging Congress and President Donald Trump to permanently reinstate federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program employees and to increase funding for the program. LIHEAP is a federal cash grant program that helps low-income families across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., heat and cool their homes, make emergency repairs, and prevent shutoffs of essential utilities. In Pennsylvania, 300,000 households depend on LIHEAP for heating assistance in a typical year. On April 2, Trump laid off all federal staff responsible for administering LIHEAP and proposed zero funding in his fiscal year 2026 federal budget, leaving Pennsylvanians in the lurch. “Staying warm in the winter is not a partisan issue. Red, blue, doesn’t matter. People in all areas of our commonwealth depend on LIHEAP funding to get them safely through the coldest months. It’s a federal program that literally saves lives,” said Matzie . “It seems unconscionable that funding would be withheld, but here we are. And let’s be clear, this has nothing to with the current shutdown – the funding was cut in the proposed federal budget. This resolution is a simple plea to Congress to do the right thing. Restore LIHEAP funding. People’s lives depend on it.” One in five Pennsylvania households report Read more
“More affordable housing means more residents have the economic stability they need to thrive,” said Matzie. “These tax credits are great news because they will spur investments to help both of these projects take shape.” Read more
“I’ve met with almost every company that is looking at building a data center in Pennsylvania, and they are not looking for dollars and cents – they are looking for reliability,” said House Democratic Caucus Chair Rob Matzie, who represents portions of Beaver County. “From the state’s standpoint, we need to be ready, because we want that energy consumption. Since data centers are large users of energy, they need to be treated as such – similar to any plant.” Read more
Under the proposed legislation, monopoly utilities would enjoy a risk-free financial environment with little incentive to invest in innovation, efficiency, or customer service. Ratepayers would be obligated to subsidize generation projects regardless of performance. Read more
“The fire that destroyed Brunton Dairy’s milking barn and bottling plant nearly two years ago was devastating to this beloved farm and the surrounding community, but it also brought out the best in neighbors and local businesses, who rallied to show their support,” Matzie said. “Now, rebuilding efforts will get a major boost with this new infusion of funding.“The new facility will be equipped with efficient equipment that will streamline operations for workers and lower energy bills, allowing the farm to resume on-site milk processing with greater productivity and lower costs. Best of all, it will restore jobs for the families affected by the fire. It’s wonderful to see this business that has contributed so much to our community and our local economy building back better and stronger.” Read more
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