Dear Neighbor,

In this week’s e-newsletter:

• Cold Weather Tips from PA American Water
• LIHEAP
• Thank you to the PA National Guard
• Launch Permits
• Transportation Grants Announced
• PENNIE Enrollment Deadline – 1/31
• America250PA Scholarship Deadline – 1/31

With sub-freezing weather arriving in NEPA, PA American Water is sharing tips to protect people during this weather.

To prepare now, customers should:

• Know how to shut off your water: Locate your main water shut-off valve. In many homes, it is located near the water meter or close to where the water pipe enters the home. Hang an I.D. tag on the valve so it can be found quickly during an emergency. Download a tag to print here. • Test your main water shut-off valve: Once located, test the shut-off valve by closing it. Once completely closed, check sinks and other water fixtures to ensure the shut-off valve is working properly.

• Ball valves generally only require a quarter turn to close.
• Gate valves are generally closed by turning the handle clockwise and should turn easily.
• If the valve does not close easily, it may need to be serviced.
• Bonus: While you are there, check your incoming water service line material! Pennsylvania American Water is working with customers to identify their service line material. If they are found to be made of lead or galvanized steel, they will be replaced in the future. Visit  Pennsylvania American Water | We Keep Life Flowing for information and easy 3-step instructions.

• Check sprinkler or irrigation systems: Make sure everything is turned off and fully drained.

• Eliminate sources of cold air near water lines: Check for pipes in areas that might be prone to freezing, such as crawl spaces, unheated rooms, basements, garages and exterior walls. Fix drafty windows, insulate walls around pipes and plug drafts around doors.

• Protect your pipes: Where pipes are exposed to cold, wrap them with insulation or heat tape (even fabric or newspaper can help).

When temperatures stay below freezing:

• Give pipes a helping hand: If pipes run through cabinets or vanities, open the doors to let warmer room temperatures flow in.

• Keep water moving through the pipes: Allow a small trickle of water to run. The cost of the extra water is typically lower than the cost of repairing a broken pipe.

If pipes freeze:

• Shut off the water immediately: Do not attempt to thaw pipes without turning off the main water shut-off valve.

• Thaw a frozen pipe by warming the air around it: Use a hair dryer, space heater or hot water. Do not leave space heaters unattended and avoid using kerosene heaters or open flames.

• Once pipes are thawed: Slowly turn the water back on. Check pipes and joints for any cracks or leaks potentially caused by freezing.

When customers are away from home, consider the following:

• Set your thermostat at 55 degrees to prevent freezing.

• Have a friend, relative or neighbor regularly check the property to help ensure the heat is working and the pipes have not frozen.

• Consider purchasing a freeze alarm. The alarm will call a user-selected phone number if the inside temperature drops below 45 degrees.

Find more cold weather protection tips here.

With the below zero temperatures staying in our area I wanted to let you know the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) application period for 2025–26 is still open. Whether you rent or own your home, you could receive a cash grant from $200 to $1,000 depending on your household size, income and type of fuel. You can find out more about eligibility requirements and documents you’ll need to apply by clicking here. Most importantly, this is a grant and does not have to be repaid.

Maximum yearly household income:

• 1 person: $23,475
• 2 people: $31,725
• 3 people: $39,975
• 4 people: $48,225
• 5 people: $56,475
• 6 people: $64,725
• 7 people: $72,975
• 8 people: $81,225
• 9 people: $89,475
• 10 people: $97,725
• Add $8,250 for each additional household member.

To find out if you qualify and for any help in applying, please contact one of my offices to make an appointment with my knowledgeable staff who can also determine if you qualify for any other state and local programs.

I want to extend a great big “THANK YOU” to the Pennsylvania National Guard as they stood ready to provide assistance during recent Winter Strom Fern. More than 375 Guardsmen were activated and positioned at 28 locations across the commonwealth. I hope you will join in, in giving a warm thank you to all who stood ready and assisted our neighbors during the recent storm.

I just want to remind all the boaters out there, now is a perfect time to make sure your boat registration / launch permit is up to date for 2026. If you’re in need of boat registration or a launch permit, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boast Commission’s website here.

I was proud to announce last week that Wilkes-Barre was awarded $800,000 for street improvements. These transportation dollars will make a real difference for families, commuters and local businesses who rely on our roads every day. For more information on these two grants click here.

I would like to remind you that PENNIE, Pennsylvania’s official health insurance marketplace, has an enrollment deadline of January 31^st, 2026. PENNIE offers affordable, high-quality health coverage options, and many Pennsylvanians qualify for financial assistance to lower monthly premiums. To take a look at what PENNIE has to offer, visit the website here.

As Pennsylvania prepares to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, America250PA is investing in the next generation of leaders.
They are awarding $250,000 in Semiquincentennial Scholarships to Pennsylvania high school seniors continuing their education right here at home. But apply quickly! The deadline in January 31^st, 2026!

Who can apply?
Pennsylvania high school seniors planning to attend an accredited Pennsylvania college or university for the 2026–2027 academic year.
What’s awarded?
• 25 scholarships
• $10,000 each
• Distributed across America250PA’s six regions
Where can they be used?
• Any Pennsylvania college or university
• Up to 12 awards for community college students
• Up to 13 awards for students attending four-year institutions
When?
Scholarships will be awarded in 2026 for the **2026–2027 academic year.

Apply here!

Let us continue to work together to build a stronger and safer America by searching for the TRUTH and finding the FACTS to guide our words, and our actions. Please, STAY STRONG and SAFE! Our democracy needs us to come together for the good of all.

Sincerely,

Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski

121st Legislative District