Make
Your Voice Heard

PUC Seeking Your Comments on Data Center Impacts

As Pennsylvanian’s energy bills, continue to rise – data centers are playing a big role in driving up prices. I worry about their impacts on energy bills, our environment, and the strength and reliability of our energy grid. Pennsylvania families should not be left footing the bill and bearing the public costs of big tech’s latest bubble.

Now the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is giving the public a chance to weigh in on how data centers and other “large load” energy customers should be handled.

Through December 22, the PUC will accept public comments on its proposed model tariff. (A “tariff” is an official document that spells out how the electric utilities will structure their rates, charges, and terms of service for large, high-energy-use customers.)

I plan to take this opportunity to submit a public comment on behalf of constituents and ratepayers. If you are concerned about the financial, environment, and community impacts of data center development, I encourage you to contact the PUC and make your voice heard, too!

Here are some points that I will ask the PUC to include in its model tariff:

Ensure that data centers are responsible for all their own infrastructure costs and local, union labor is used to build and service them.

Prevent utilities from shifting expenditures across the general rate base, so residential households are not forced to absorb costs created by data centers.

Ensure that data centers are liable for any stranded costs if a facility closes or ends up needing less energy than it asked the utility to supply.

Require that data centers contribute to all utility universal service programs, not just hardship funds, to help residents keep up with rising energy costs.

Require data centers enter into Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) to specify up front how the local community will benefit and be protected.
Ensure transparency, public accountability, and stakeholder participation in the final adoption of this model tariff by having a public hearing.

Submit your own comment electronically via the PUC’s e-File System: https://efiling.puc.pa.gov/

For help setting up an e-File account, follow these instructions: How to submit public comment on the PUC model tariff for Large Load Customers

Constituent Stories

Supporting Libraries, Supporting All Pennsylvanians

I’ve always been an advocate for public libraries, which—along with our parks and recreation centers—provide community spaces where people of all ages and abilities can gather, learn, and connect. Strong libraries make stronger, civically engaged communities.

That’s why I supported the recent state budget, which included a $433,000 increase for library services for the visually impaired and disabled—the first funding increase for these services in over 12 years!

One of the organizations benefiting from this funding is the Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (LAMP) in Bloomfield. LAMP serves anyone who cannot use standard print materials because of a disability. A member of their staff recently shared their appreciation for this long-awaited support:

Dear Senator Williams,

You have always been such a great supporter of Libraries - and LAMP's advocate in Harrisburg! Thank you for voting to increase funding for the Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians. It is the first funding increase we have received in over 12 years, and we appreciate it so much. Our staff, patrons and volunteers also are truly grateful for your support and your recognition of our work to ensure that Pennsylvanians with print disabilities can access the books, equipment, and services they need to Read for Life.

We will use the added funds to pursue innovative ways to reach people across the state who are blind, have low vision, dyslexia, or difficulty handling print materials.

I look forward to your next Senior Resource Fair or dropping by your Office in Harrisburg to say thank you! You have an open invitation to record another book at LAMP anytime.

With sincere gratitude,

Administrator, Library Services
Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (LAMP)

In 2023, I recorded an audiobook for their Library of Congress accessibility project, which has already added over 800 audiobooks to the National Library Service catalogue. They focus on books with a Pennsylvania connection, meaning the subject matter or the authorship is related in some way to our Commonwealth.

LAMP is an invaluable community resource, and we’re looking forward to celebrating this budget increase with a special event in the new year!

To learn more about LAMP or access services like BARD downloads or free mailbox delivery of large-print, audio, and braille materials, visit https://mylamp.org/.

2025 Senate District 38 Events Roundup

Senior Social at Pittsburgh Mills, May 15, 2025

Senior Fair at Ross Community Center October 30, 2025

Senior $cam Jam, November 14, 2025

2025 Events for Our Seniors

In 2025, we held a Senior Social at the Pittsburgh Mills Mall in May, a Senior Fair at the Ross Township Community Center in October, and a Senior $cam Jam at the Morningside Senior Center in November. To those who were able to join us, we hope you found useful information and enjoyed the day. If you couldn’t attend, stay tuned for next year’s schedule!

We enjoy hosting these events and offering in person access to the resources, information, and assistance older adults need to navigate daily life– with a little fun built in along the way.

We are always looking for ways to better serve our constituents. If you have an idea for a future event, we would love to hear from you.

Good News

Broad Street Plaza Renovation in East Liberty

Last month, I was excited to join Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, Councilman Khari Mosley, the ELDI, URA, Catapult, and the East Liberty Community as we celebrated the grand opening of the newly renovated Broad Street Plaza. I treasure having outdoor space to relax and recharge, and I hope that residents of East Liberty feel the same way about this new space. I’m looking forward to using this third space in the spring to gather with the community and spend time together!

Taking a Spin with the Hampton Rotary

Hampton Rotary Lunch

I joined the Hampton Township Rotary Club for their November meeting to share an update on how the recently passed budget will impact residents here at home.

I shared speaking duties with Jamie Clendening, Pennsylvania’s 2026 Ms. Wheelchair! Jamie is a healthcare access advocate and the founder of I Can and I Wheel!, a blog and online support community. I’m looking forward to continuing my conversation with Jamie about healthcare access in the coming year.

Celebrating Kathy Ulanowicz

Celebrating Kathy Ulanowicz

Blawnox’s Manager, Kathy Ulanowicz, is retiring at the end of the year, and our entire office is going to miss her! Kathy has been an incredible asset to her community, and we have loved working with her.

But don’t worry– she’ll still be managing the Blawnox Food Pantry which she created in October 2023 and is located in the municipal building. The Food Pantry serves 40-45 people monthly and is open the last Friday of the month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Patrons do not need proof of residency or income. People can drop off donations for the pantry at the borough office during normal business hours. Items in most need include paper products, peanut butter, laundry soap, dish soap, tomato sauce and monetary contributions.

Congratulations on your well-earned retirement, Kathy! We’ll miss you!

Blawnox food pantry to remain under current leadership after borough manager retires | TribLIVE.com

26th Annual
Allegheny-Fayette Labor Council Stuff the Bus

26th Annual Allegheny-Fayette Labor Council Stuff the Bus

The weather outside was frightful, but inside the bus was delightful! Thank you to everyone who came out and donated toys to the 26th annual Allegheny-Fayette Labor Council Stuff the Bus and to ATU Local 85 and PRT for the two festive buses we packed with toys and gift cards!

Donations will benefit the United Way of Southwestern PA.

Legislative Update

Celebrating Our Public Libraries

We were so excited to celebrate the $5 million increase to public libraries in the 2025-26 state budget at Northland Public Library on December 5th! This is a more than 7% increase from previous years.

Local libraries like Northland Public Library will use these funds to invest in our communities with more resources and incredible programming, like their monthly Tea and Stitches group, which was kind enough to let me join them last week. Our libraries give people a space to feel welcome and included, without asking anything in return.

Libraries are those all-important third spaces-- not home, not work, but a community space that builds civic engagement. These spaces fight loneliness and depression and give people a sense of belonging. We hear about the need for this kind of place all the time from calls to our office. People are searching for a sense of community and belonging. Your local library is a great start. Check out what programs they have to offer or just check out a book and read in a comfy chair.

We also recognized two local library champions during this event-- Northland Public Library director Amy Steele who will retire in February and Kimberley Hrivnak, Allegheny County Library Association COO and Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA)'s 2025 Distinguished Service Award winner! It was my honor to surprise them both with Senate citations recognizing their service and dedication to the greater community. Libraries are magical places because of the incredible work of people like Kimberley and Amy!

Thank you to Rep. Arvind Venkat, Kimberley Hrivnak from Allegheny County Library Association, Amy Steele and Dana Getz from Northland, and Sean from Rep. Emily Kinkead's office for joining us for this celebration!

Local lawmakers, librarians celebrate $5M increase in Pa. budget for public libraries | TribLIVE.com

News You Can Use

PA Property Tax Rent Rebate Deadline is December 31!

The deadline to apply for rebates on rent and property taxes paid in 2024 through the Department of Revenue’s Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program (PTRR) is December 31, 2025. My office has helped more than 540 people apply for this program this year, and we can help you too!

To qualify for PTRR, you must meet both age and income qualifications.

Age Qualifications (must meet one):

65 and older OR
A widow or widower 50 and older OR
Disabled and 18 and older

Income Qualifications: Household income of less than $46,520. (Note: half of Social Security income is excluded). This income cap is more than $1,500 higher than last year!

The maximum standard rebate amounts have also been increased and are listed below:

INCOME	MAXIMUM REBATE
$0-$8,270	$1,000
$8,271-$15,510	$770
$15,511-$18,610	$460
$18,611-$46,520	$380

To apply you need proof of age (driver’s license or PA ID), all 2024 income documents (1040 or Social Security statement, 1099-R, etc.), and a completed 2024 rent certificate or 2024 property tax receipts (county, municipal, school district).

For fastest review, applicants are encouraged to apply online at https://mypath.pa.gov/_/.

If you are unable to file online, or if you would like assistance filing, my staff is available to file your application for free!

Gather your documents and contact my office to schedule an appointment before December 23, 2025, when we change our District Office hours for the holidays:

Our offices will be closed: Wednesday, December 24, Thursday, December 25, and January 1.
We will be closed to walk-ins with limited staff working remotely: Monday, December 23 and Thursday, December 26 - Tuesday, December 31.

Call 412-364-0469 (Ross) or 724-224-2131 (Harrison) or email us at [email protected] for an appointment or if you have any questions.

For complete information on the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program go to: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/revenue/incentives-credits-and-programs/ptrr.

Allegheny County Financial Empowerment Center Now Offer FREE Long-Term Financial Planning!

A new program at all Allegheny County Financial Empowerment Center sites offers FREE one-on-one long-term financial counseling to Allegheny County residents. These legacy planning services help people improve their financial health and prepare for what happens to large assets — such as a house or bank account — when they die. Counselors offer assistance organizing assets, reviewing insurance and titles and updating beneficiaries on bank accounts, as well as connecting people to other resources to help them prepare a will or power of attorney documents.

Allegheny County Financial Empowerment Center sites in and near Senate District 38 include:

North Hills Community Outreach in Millvale;
UPMC Neighborhood Center in East Liberty;
Goodwill-Lawrenceville;
Homewood Community Engagement Center in Homewood.

The Financial Empowerment Center also offers general financial counseling to help people take control of their financial futures including debt reduction, savings building, credit score improvement, and more!

Financial Empowerment Centers offer free services to anyone 18 or older living in Allegheny County—no income restrictions. Clients can return for as many sessions as needed to overcome financial challenges and reach their goals.

To learn more and to make an appointment, visit www.myfinancialpower.org or call 1-800-298-0237!

Applications Open for 2026 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is accepting applications for the 2026 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence, the state’s top environmental honor. Any Pennsylvania business, farm, government agency, educational institution, or nonprofit organization that has developed or participated in a project that promotes environmental protection and stewardship in the Commonwealth may apply.

DEP oversees the award selection process and evaluates projects on seven criteria: commitment to protecting the environment, partnership, environmental education and outreach, innovation, climate change, sustainability, and environmental justice. The Governor’s Office will select the awardees.

Projects must have been completed between November 1, 2024, and November 19, 2025.

Applications are submitted online and will be accepted through Friday, January 16. For more information or to apply, go to: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dep/about-dep/awards/governors-award-environmental-excellence.

Food Insecurity Resources

If you are facing food insecurity, there are local food banks and organizations that can help! The graphics above list the food banks in and around Senate District 38. While food banks are an invaluable resource, there are other organizations and programs that may be able to provide additional help:

SNAP recipients who are pregnant or have kids under 5 may be able to get help buying food from PA WIC. You can call 1-800-WIC-WINS or apply online at: https://www.pawic.com/.
To connect with various local food resources, call 211 or visit https://www.pa211.org/. Or, go to: http://findhelp.org.
Visit https://www.feedingpa.org/ to find all local food banks and other food assistance programs.
Go to https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/ending-hunger and https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pda for information on assistance programs and other resources.
If you are a SNAP-eligible senior citizen, the Senior Food Box Program can also provide you with additional shelf-stable groceries: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pda/food/food-assistance/senior-food-box-program.

To secure long-term food assistance, consider applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the program formerly known as “food stamps”:

Enroll with Just Harvest by calling 412-431-8960 (option 3) or go to their website at: https://www.justharvest.org/.
Or, apply online at: https://www.compass.dhs.pa.gov/home/#/.

Call or email our office if you need additional assistance or have any questions: 412-364-0469 (Ross), 724-224-2131 (Harrison), [email protected].

Hunters Sharing the Harvest Accepting Deer Donations!

If you are a hunter and looking for a way to give back to your community, consider donating deer to Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH). This charitable organization runs a venison donation program where hunters share their extra venison via a statewide network of participating butchers to food pantries and community assistance centers across Pennsylvania.

HSH has distributed 2.5 million pounds of donated venison since 1991 and is the number one game donation program in the country with Allegheny County the top donator to HSH!

For complete information on HSH and how to donate go to: https://sharedeer.org/.

District Office Holiday
Hours

District Office Holiday Hours

Happiest of holidays -- My District & Harrisburg Offices will be closed Wednesday, December 24, Thursday, December 25, and Thursday, January 1.

We will be closed to walk-ins with limited staff working remotely: Monday, December. 23 and Thursday, December 26 - Tuesday, December. 31.

As 2025 winds down, I'm grateful for my hardworking staff who've assisted thousands of constituents this year!

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have by phone at 412-364-0469 (Ross Office), 724-224-2131 (Harrison Office) or by email at [email protected]. My staff will return your call/email within 24 hours (Monday-Friday).

Senator Lindsey Williams