Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Rep. Robert F. Matzie | News Center

House adopts Matzie ‘Safe Digging Month’ resolution

(Apr 16, 2026)

“Overhead powerlines may be easy to spot, but many of us forget that there is also a huge network of electric, gas, water and communications lines and structures buried beneath us,” Matzie said. “Any digging or excavating – even of the shallow kind – can create major safety hazards, service interruptions and damage requiring extensive repairs. It’s critically important for homeowners, business owners, contractors, excavators – anyone planning any kind of digging – to dial 8-1-1- at least three days before starting to dig, to allow utilities to mark underground structures beforehand. It’s a free call that takes very little time and can prevent massive problems. It’s also the law.” Read more

 

Matzie: Nearly $750,000 secured for Beaver County youth programs

(Apr 16, 2026)

“Time and again, we’ve seen how these programs reduce absenteeism, boost grades and improve behavior by providing the one-on-one support, mentoring and sense of belonging that some young people may not find elsewhere,” Matzie said. “Those personal and social connections help them build the skills and confidence they need to succeed in class and better navigate the world.” Read more

 

To protect Pennsylvanians from skyrocketing energy costs, Pa. House Democrats introduce energy affordability legislation that would lower bills, rein in corporate greed

(Apr 15, 2026)

HARRISBURG, April 15 – On Wednesday, PA House Democrats launched a bold new bill package to tackle the energy affordability crisis by reining in corporate greed, implementing electric grid efficiency measures, and regulating data centers’ impacts on Pennsylvania communities. This package offers a multifaceted response by:•guaranteeing that costs related to data center development are not shouldered by ratepayers,•reforming Pennsylvania’s broken ratemaking system to ensure customers pay a fair price for the energy they use, and •modernizing the state’s electric grid so growing energy demand can be met at a reasonable cost.Across the commonwealth, Pennsylvanians are facing skyrocketing energy costs. Utility shutoffs were up 38% in 2025 as 1-in-5 Pennsylvania households report having trouble paying their utility bills each month. House Energy Committee chair Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., said it’s clear that this crisis is reaching a breaking point. Read more

 

Matzie: $650,000 secured to boost training opportunities for Beaver County workers

(Apr 15, 2026)

“Industry standards and practices are constantly changing as companies embrace newer technologies like AI and robotics and cleaner technologies like induction heating,” Matzie said. “The new funding will provide workers with the apprenticeship opportunities and innovative training models they need to keep pace and will ensure that our local industries have the talented workforce pool they need to stay competitive.” Read more

 

Tiburcio introduces bill to enhance support for Pa.’s craft beer industry

(Apr 07, 2026)

“Pennsylvania is home to hundreds of breweries of all sizes,” said Tiburcio. “In the craft beer industry, we rank second both in production and economic impact. This bill would expand the state’s malt beverage tax credit program, enabling more of our craft breweries to get the help when they need it the most.” Read more

 

Matzie: More than $200K secured to fund compressed natural gas vehicles for Beaver County waste collection

(Mar 27, 2026)

“This is exciting news,” Matzie said. “Compressed natural gas vehicles require less fuel and maintenance, produce much lower emissions, and operate more quietly. All of that means savings for taxpayers, cleaner air in our neighborhoods and reduced noise for residents. I’m looking forward to seeing our communities reap the benefits of the new technology.” Read more

 

Matzie: $225K secured for District 16 municipal planning, resources and equipment

(Mar 27, 2026)

“The new grants will allow municipalities and departments in our district to address practical needs – replacement vehicles and equipment to keep services flowing, project funding for safer play spaces and planning resources to invite new economic development,” Matzie said. “It all adds up to improved quality of life. I’ll continue advocating and working with our state agencies and local partners to bring more of those dollars home to benefit residents.” Read more

 

Matzie Works to Protect Consumers from Data Centers Increasing Costs

(Mar 27, 2026)

PA state Rep. Rob Matzie discusses how his legislation would protect PA consumers from rising electricity costs caused by data centers. Read more

 

Pennsylvania House passes Matzie bill to improve rail safety

(Mar 25, 2026)

“It’s been three years since the catastrophe in East Palestine. We can’t sit around and wait for that to happen again,” said Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus. “I am glad the House took action to prevent the next rail disaster and make our communities and families safer by passing this bill. H.B. 1191 is a way we can start to reduce derailments and protect workers, first responders and community residents.” Read more

 

First-ever data center regulations in Pennsylvania history pass House

(Mar 24, 2026)

HARRISBURG, March 24 – On Tuesday, the PA House passed H.B. 1834, legislation that would create the first-ever regulatory framework for data centers in Pennsylvania. The bill is a multifaceted response that would protect ratepayers from even higher utility bills, increase the construction of renewable energy, and fund low-income energy assistance programs. The bill was introduced by state Rep. Robert Matzie, D-Beaver.Pennsylvania has become a site of interest for widespread data center development, yet the Commonwealth currently has no statewide standards for data centers and lacks oversight of these facilities.As a result, ratepayers are often left footing the bill for upgrades to grid infrastructure required by large-load projects like data centers. The immense amount of energy needed to power data centers is also a major driver of rising energy prices, which have increased faster than inflation over the past six years. Consequently, one in six Pennsylvania families are struggling to keep up with their bills, and utility shutoffs rose 38% in 2025. Read more

 

Pennsylvania House passes Matzie bill to protect utility consumers from data center-driven rate hikes

(Mar 24, 2026)

“Normally, if an electric company adds poles and wires or equipment, we all share in the costs. That’s because it’s making the delivery system better for all of us,” Matzie said. “That’s not the case with data centers. No one’s electric bill should ever go up because a data center has located in Pennsylvania, but we need to plan ahead to make sure that doesn’t happen." Read more

 

Matzie: Newly released study recommends changes to PIAA policies

(Mar 24, 2026)

“The study’s findings and recommendations demonstrate the need for updated PIAA policies relative to how transfers are monitored and adjudicated, where and how certain private, charter, and co-op schools get their student athletes, and how championship sites are determined,” Matzie said. “This vindicates the questions I’ve raised over the past several years, especially in regard to the treatment of the Aliquippa School District.” Read more

 

Matzie: Historical grant funding secured for borough of Ambridge

(Mar 23, 2026)

AMBRIDGE, March 23 – The borough of Ambridge has been awarded $13,500 in grant funding, part of the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission’s Certified Local Government Grant Program, Rep. Robert Matzie has announced. The program aims to provide financial support in administering local preservation programs, such as the development of tools, products and services. Funding from the program will go toward updating Old Economy Village, home to 17 historic buildings along the Ohio River. “Ambridge has been a site of historic beauty for quite some time, and I’m proud to support funding that grows the borough’s profile and engages the public with everything the borough has to offer,” Matzie said. “I thank the commission for its generous support.” In total, $151,477 in grants were awarded across seven counties, including a set-aside for mini-grants and scholarships. The amount reflects the required 10% of the commission’s award from the National Park Service. “Preserving Pennsylvania history has been a cause of mine because we should all be proud of where we come from,” Matzie said. “This is a wonderful state with a deep, rich history; and we should all take some time to interact with our historical landmarks and museums. The better we broadcast our history, the more people will be invested in our present and future.” To learn more about the Certified Read more

 

Read Rep. Rob Matzie's Winter 2026 Newsletter Online!

(Mar 03, 2026)

Read Rep. Rob Matzie's Winter 2026 Newsletter Online! Read more

 

Matzie applauds Zerfuss, PUC action on rail safety

(Feb 23, 2026)

“I applaud Commissioner Zerfuss and the PUC for taking the reins on rail safety, and I’m glad the commission plans to focus on some of the same reporting, oversight and equipment issues I call for in my rail safety legislation,” said Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus. “With thousands of miles of rail running through our region and federal regulations falling short, time is of the essence. We can’t afford to wait for another East Palestine.” Read more

 

Matzie: PIAA board made ‘the right decision’ in moving Aliquippa Football to Class 3A for next two years

(Feb 19, 2026)

“I’ve just been informed that the PIAA Board has voted to move Aliquippa Football to Class 3A for the next two years. “While the specifics of the determination haven’t been released, I’m pleased the board made the right decision after several attempts pleading the case. “I have shared the opinion of the Aliquippa School District that decisions related to the competitive balance formula should use actual enrollment and view each transfer on a case-by-case basis rather than a one-size-fits-all approach." Read more

 

Matzie: More than $265,000 secured for Beaver County fire, EMS companies

(Feb 17, 2026)

AMBRIDGE, Feb. 17 – Fire and EMS companies in the 16 th Legislative District are on track to receive more than $265,200 in grant funding to help keep crews properly equipped and meet other department needs, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus, said departments will be able to use the funds for items such as personal protective gear, firefighting equipment, fuel, facility repairs, training, recruitment and retention, and other needs. “Our fire and EMS departments face a constant challenge keeping crews outfitted and trained, equipment updated, and facilities maintained – all on the tightest budgets,” Matzie said. “The new funding should help ease some of those costs and get more resources into the hands of those who work 24/7 to protect us.” Matzie said the funding includes: Ambridge Borough Fire Department – $13,457. Ambridge Volunteer Fire Department – $14,488. Baden Volunteer Fire Department – $16,137. Center Township Fire House No. 2 – $13,251. Center Township Volunteer Fire Department Co. No. 1 – $14,900. Center Township Volunteer Fire Department No. 3 – $12,426. City of Aliquippa DBA Aliquippa Bureau of Fire – $14,488. Conway Volunteer Fire Department – $14,488. Economy Vol. Ambulance Service – $15,000. Economy Volunteer Firemens Association Read more

 

Matzie: $175,000 secured to support state-of-the-art track and field facility for Beaver County sporting events

(Feb 13, 2026)

“This is big news for the region,” Matzie said. “Having the ability to host championships and other spectator events will be a game-changer for Beaver County because it’s going to open doors to new entertainment and recreational opportunities – and along with those, new visitors, new economic activity and a greater boost for local businesses.” Read more

 

Matzie: More than $1.6 million secured for Community College of Beaver County improvements

(Feb 05, 2026)

“As a proud graduate, I can personally attest to how fortunate our community is to have this career and technical education powerhouse,” Matzie said. “I’m grateful for this new state investment, which will directly benefit our students, workers, and taxpayers.” Read more

 

Matzie, Mehaffie laud passage of bill to clear the way for construction of small modular nuclear reactors

(Feb 04, 2026)

“Having an ‘all-everything’ energy strategy strengthens our position as an energy powerhouse and helps us meet the increasing demand coming from cloud computing and AI,” said Matzie, D-Beaver, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus as well as a co-chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Nuclear Energy Caucus.“Nuclear is an important part of that strategy, and one that would bring new jobs, but the construction costs can be prohibitive. Small, modular reactors, which require less time and money to build, are an excellent solution, but the fees these reactors must pay the state to operate – which were developed with large, traditional reactors in mind – have proven to be an insurmountable obstacle. The new legislation would adjust the fees to remove those barriers.” Read more

 

House adopts Matzie ‘Safe Digging Month’ resolution
Apr 16, 2026

Matzie: Nearly $750,000 secured for Beaver County youth programs
Apr 16, 2026

To protect Pennsylvanians from skyrocketing energy costs, Pa. House Democrats introduce energy affordability legislation that would lower bills, rein in corporate greed
Apr 15, 2026

Matzie: $650,000 secured to boost training opportunities for Beaver County workers
Apr 15, 2026

Tiburcio introduces bill to enhance support for Pa.’s craft beer industry
Apr 07, 2026

Matzie: More than $200K secured to fund compressed natural gas vehicles for Beaver County waste collection
Mar 27, 2026

Matzie: $225K secured for District 16 municipal planning, resources and equipment
Mar 27, 2026

Matzie Works to Protect Consumers from Data Centers Increasing Costs
Mar 27, 2026

Pennsylvania House passes Matzie bill to improve rail safety
Mar 25, 2026

First-ever data center regulations in Pennsylvania history pass House
Mar 24, 2026

Pennsylvania House passes Matzie bill to protect utility consumers from data center-driven rate hikes
Mar 24, 2026

Matzie: Newly released study recommends changes to PIAA policies
Mar 24, 2026

Matzie: Historical grant funding secured for borough of Ambridge
Mar 23, 2026

Read Rep. Rob Matzie's Winter 2026 Newsletter Online!
Mar 03, 2026

Matzie applauds Zerfuss, PUC action on rail safety
Feb 23, 2026

Matzie: PIAA board made ‘the right decision’ in moving Aliquippa Football to Class 3A for next two years
Feb 19, 2026

Matzie: More than $265,000 secured for Beaver County fire, EMS companies
Feb 17, 2026

Matzie: $175,000 secured to support state-of-the-art track and field facility for Beaver County sporting events
Feb 13, 2026

Matzie: More than $1.6 million secured for Community College of Beaver County improvements
Feb 05, 2026

Matzie, Mehaffie laud passage of bill to clear the way for construction of small modular nuclear reactors
Feb 04, 2026