Group Discusses House Bill 2030 at Town Hall Meeting

A group of concerned residents in Ellwood City met for a Town Hall meeting Thursday night at the Municipal Building, to present facts about House Bill 2030.

Mary Ann Viccari, who served 40 years in borough administration, presented a PowerPoint at the town hall meeting that focused on facts about HB 2030.

The meeting primarily focused on what would happen if HB 2030 did pass and how it would affect the community and jobs within it. Ellwood City transfers $1.45 million yearly from the electric fund to the general fund.

Viccari said, HB 2030 will not necessarily lower electric bills; it could cost customers more if their taxes are raised to make up the difference in lost revenue to the borough.

The bill itself doesn’t raise property tax; it would just eliminate Ellwood City Electric. If the bill passes, the council will decide how to recuperate the loss of the $1.45 million that is usually transferred from the electric fund to the general fund.

State Rep. Aaron Bernstine, who introduced the measure, has said HB 2030 would protect residents from high electric bills, service shutoffs and “taxation” through use of electric revenue.

View the full PowerPoint presentation