The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission just ruled in favor of the Energy Justice Advocates – led by POWER Interfaith – upholding the First Amendment and blocking Philadelphia Gas Works from demanding our private strategy communications in their rate‑case fight.
This is more than a legal win. It’s a victory for:
Community voice — Ensuring public-interest groups aren’t intimidated out of civic processes
Affordable energy — Standing strong against PGW’s proposed 13% rate hike (that would’ve cost consumers ~$12/month)
Climate justice — Supporting a long-term shift away from fossil fuels
As Earthjustice attorney Devin McDougall said, this sets a powerful precedent for future utility cases, reinforcing that democracy thrives when communities have a seat at the table.
💡 What’s next?
We’ll keep pushing: opposing surcharges like weather/revenue normalization, championing transparency, and demanding energy solutions grounded in justice.
📣 We thank all POWER faith leaders, Earthjustice, Sierra Club, Clean Air Council, Vote Solar, PennEnvironment, PSR‑PA, and every community member who raised their voice. Your courage and commitment made this possible.
Join us – spread the word and stay involved. Together, we’ll keep building a just, clean-energy future for Philadelphia and beyond.
