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In this Update:

• Senate Acts to Address Electric Generation Shortfall, Expand Energy Development
• Poultry Owners Urged to Continue Efforts to Combat Avian Influenza
• REMINDER: Grow PA Grants Available Now
• Measure to Speed Up Plugging of Abandoned Wells Approved by Senate
• Next Commonwealth Vehicle Auction is April 14
• Happy St. Patrick’s Day  

Senate Acts to Address Electric Generation Shortfall, Expand Energy Development

Reliable and affordable electricity is a fundamental need for families and the businesses that provide their jobs. The Senate recently passed legislation to streamline energy generation projects and preserve the reliability of our region’s power grid.

Senate Bill 704 directs the state departments of Community and Economic Development and Environmental Protection to work together to identify suitable sites for natural gas electric generation projects. The goal is to address electricity generation shortages in the PJM power grid and attract investment by speeding up site preparation.

The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Other measures we passed to promote access to affordable energy prevented the creation of a new electricity tax and would authorize creation of a Pennsylvania Independent Energy Office to ensure a more cohesive strategy for managing energy resources.

Poultry Owners Urged to Continue Efforts to Combat Avian Influenza

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is reminding poultry owners – backyard flock owners and commercial producers – to continue taking steps to protect their birds from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

Since the current outbreak began in 2022, Pennsylvania has lost more than 14.3 million birds, with approximately half of these lost since the beginning of 2026. Steps to reduce HPAI risk include:

• Practicing biosecurity every day.
• Wearing clean clothes, scrub boots or shoes with disinfectants and washing hands before and after contact with animals.
• Controlling birds and rodents that can carry and spread disease.
• Keeping birds indoors whenever possible and minimizing contact with wild birds.
• Eliminating standing water that may attract wild birds.

Poultry owners should report sick birds or unexplained deaths to 717-772-2852. Anyone encountering sick or dead wild birds should contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission at 1-833-PGC-WILD. You can find more information here.

REMINDER: Grow PA Grants Available Now

Eligible Pennsylvanians can now apply for a Grow PA Scholarship Grant for the 2026-27 academic year at pheaa.org/growpa.

This program offers grants of up to $5,000 per year for in-state students who pursue a degree or certification in an in-demand occupation and administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). The full list of courses of study are available here.

To qualify, applicants must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as agree to live and work in Pennsylvania in that occupation after graduation for 12 months for each year they received the grant.

Please note: Applicants who received this grant last year MUST reapply to receive the grant again for the upcoming academic year.

Measure to Speed Up Plugging of Abandoned Wells Approved by Senate

There are an estimated 350,000 abandoned oil and gas wells statewide posing safety and environmental risks. The Senate approved legislation to streamline plugging operations, eliminating uncertainty and accelerating cleanup efforts.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection requires well pluggers to clean out a well to its total depth before plugging. Senate Bill 712 removes longstanding roadblocks by defining what constitutes a reasonable effort to reach the attainable bottom of a well, eliminating ambiguity that has led to costly delays.

This clarity will help Pennsylvania fully leverage nearly $400 million in federal funding to plug more wells in less time. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Next Commonwealth Vehicle Auction is April 14

Used commonwealth fleet vehicle auctions featuring more than 200 vehicles are open to the public, including dealers. The next auction is April 14.

The auctions are conducted at the Manheim Keystone Pennsylvania Auto Auction, 488 Firehouse Road in Grantville, Dauphin County. Auctions begin at 10 a.m. and prospective buyers should register on the Saturday, Sunday or Monday before the sale. There is no registration on sale day. 

You can see what was sold at prior auctions and the most updated offerings, along with registration information and more here. Additional information, including payment options, can be found in the auction policies or by calling 717-469-7900 Monday – Friday,  9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Nearly two million Pennsylvanians proudly claim Irish ancestry, reflecting generations of families, workers and community leaders who helped shape our commonwealth’s heritage.

Whether you’re Irish or Irish-for-a-day, I hope you enjoy St. Patrick’s Day on March 17.

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