Inside Harrisburg

by state Rep. Dan Frankel

Older & Wiser seminar set for Feb. 25

Dealing with health-care facilities, particularly in a moment of crisis, can be daunting. For that reason, I am sponsoring a program in collaboration with the Neighborhood Legal Service Association and AgeWell Pittsburgh to help community residents prepare for communicating with health-care providers before an emergency necessitates it.

The "Older & Wiser" seminar is designed to help residents obtain information on legal issues facing older adults and their families. The seminar will cover how to deal effectively with a health-care facility, including how to exchange information with health-care providers, nursing facilities, personal care homes and hospitals. It will also address how to avoid waiting until a crisis arises to make decisions, and how to gather the information necessary to make the best decisions.

The seminar will take place at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, in Room 202 at the Jewish Community Center, 5738 Forbes Ave. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public.

Law prompts help with conserving energy

In 2008, Pennsylvania passed Act 129, with my support, to reduce energy usage statewide. Reducing energy consumption is a good idea for both environmental and economic reasons. It will help avoid the cost and environmental impact of building more power plants, as well as reduce the need to purchase power during high-usage periods, thus holding down electricity costs overall. 

Act 129 requires that the largest utility companies in the state reduce energy usage by 1 percent in 2011. By 2013, energy consumption must be down 3 percent.

Locally, that means Duquesne Light must encourage consumers to reduce the amount of energy they use. The company is currently working with business and residential customers to help make that happen.

That’s good news for Pittsburgh’s residents. Starting immediately, Duquesne Light customers can receive rebates for the purchase of energy-efficient light bulbs, Energy Star-rated appliances, programmable thermostats and more.

To participate in the program, Duquesne Light residential customers must meet these eligibility requirements:

• The equipment or energy-saving measure you install must meet the efficiency requirements provided in the rebate catalog.
• The rebate application must be completed and submitted with all required documentation.
• Your application must be for equipment or products purchased after Nov. 30, 2009.
• Watt Choices Program funds must be available at the time the rebate application is received.

As part of the program, Duquesne Light customers will receive $35 for recycling their old, non-energy-efficient refrigerators. Visit www.wattchoices.com or call JACO Environmental at 1-877-270-3521 for more information about having your refrigerator hauled away and recycled for free. The Web site also provides information about the various energy efficiency programs available.  Additionally, to verify product eligibility and request rebate applications, visit www.rebate-zone.com/wattchoices or call 1-877-694-2197.

The Watt Choices Program isn’t solely for residential customers. Business owners can also obtain rebates for improving energy efficiency by working with contracted agencies to perform customized energy audits and improvements. For more information, visit www.wattchoices.com and select the information for small or large businesses.

As always, please contact my office at 412-422-1774, or visit my Web site at www.pahouse.com/Frankel, for assistance or information on these or any state-related matters.

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