Senator Marty Flynn Announces $400,000 Solar for Schools Grant for Old Forge School District

Senator Marty Flynn Announces $400,000 Solar for Schools Grant for Old Forge School District

May 20, 2025

HARRISBURG − May 20, 2025 − Senator Marty Flynn today announced that the Old Forge School District has been awarded $400,000 through the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Solar for Schools program.

The funding will support the installation of solar energy infrastructure at the district, helping reduce long-term energy costs and promote sustainability in school operations.

“This is a smart investment that will benefit students and the environment,” said Senator Flynn. “By supporting clean energy in our schools, we’re helping districts cut costs while also teaching the next generation about the importance of sustainability and innovation.”

Senator Flynn also thanked State Representative Jim Haddock for his partnership and advocacy in helping secure the funding for Old Forge.

The Solar for Schools program provides grants to public K-12 schools to help offset the costs of solar energy systems, with the goal of reducing utility expenses and advancing renewable energy use across the Commonwealth.

###

Lackawanna County Awarded $90,000 State Grant to Strengthen Financial Management

Lackawanna County Awarded $90,000 State Grant to Strengthen Financial Management

April 17, 2025

Scranton, PA – April 16, 2025 – Lackawanna County has received a $90,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) through Governor Josh Shapiro’s Strategic Management Planning Program. The funding will support Phase 2 of a project focused on improving the county’s financial oversight and long-term planning.

With these funds, the county will bring in financial professionals to help guide and strengthen its fiscal management practices. The goal is to ensure public resources are managed responsibly and effectively while laying the groundwork for smarter, more sustainable growth.

“This is great news for our community,” said Senator Flynn. “Strong financial planning often happens behind the scenes, but it plays a critical role in how well local government can serve its residence. I’m proud to support this investment in Lackawanna County, and I’m confident it will help us build a more stable and sustainable future.”

This grant is part of a continued effort to support county governments across the Commonwealth in modernizing operations, improving transparency, and ensuring financial stability for years to come. Lackawanna County’s participation in this program highlights its commitment to strong, accountable governance that works for the people.

The project will move forward once all contract documents are finalized and the grant requirements are met.

For more information on the Strategic Management Planning Program, visit PA Department of Community & Economic Development.

###

Senator Flynn Announces Over $403K in Funding for Scranton Through Governor Shapiro’s Main Street Matters Initiative

Senator Flynn Announces Over $403K in Funding for Scranton Through Governor Shapiro’s Main Street Matters Initiative

April 11, 2025

Scranton, PA – April 11, 2025 – This week, State Senator Marty Flynn (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne) announced that Scranton has been awarded $403,806 in state funding through Governor Josh Shapiro’s Main Street Matters initiative, which aims to revitalize downtowns and strengthen local economies across Pennsylvania.   

This significant investment will support the reimagination and redevelopment of Clover Field Park, enhancing recreational spaces and community well-being for families throughout Lackawanna County.

“Investments like these directly benefit our neighborhoods, helping to transform public spaces into vibrant community assets,” said Senator Flynn. “I’m proud to support Governor Shapiro’s commitment to revitalizing our main streets and parks. As someone who grew up playing football at Clover Field with the West Side Jets in junior high, this project is especially meaningful to me. Clover Field Park holds great potential for our residents, and I look forward to seeing this project come to life.”

Main Street Matters is a $20 million program launched by the Shapiro Administration and administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). It builds on the successful Keystone Communities Program and supports infrastructure upgrades, building improvements, affordable housing, and small business growth. The program funded 81 projects statewide, chosen from over 200 applications.

“This is about setting a standard for how we invest in our communities,” Flynn added. “We’re not just upgrading a park; we’re making long-term investments in Scranton’s future. Clover Field Park has the potential to become a place where families gather, children play, and neighbors connect. That’s the kind of progress our community deserves.”

Over the past year, Senator Flynn has collaborated with local officials, business owners, and constituents to advocate for targeted funding that meets the real needs of Lackawanna County. This award reflects that shared effort and vision.

This funding aligns with Governor Shapiro’s 10-Year Economic Development Strategy, which focuses on long-term investments that grow jobs, increase affordability, and foster inclusive economic growth.

For more information about the Main Street Matters initiative and a full list of funded projects, visit shapirobudget.pa.gov.

###

 

Senate Democratic Caucus Policy Chair Nick Miller and Senator Marty Flynn Host Hearing Examining Energy Affordability for Consumers

Senate Democratic Caucus Policy Chair Nick Miller and Senator Marty Flynn Host Hearing Examining Energy Affordability for Consumers

March 31, 2025

HARRISBURG, PA − March 31, 2025 − Today, Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Nick Miller held a hearing to explore strategies for mitigating the impact of energy costs on residents along with legislative solutions aimed at delivering reliable, affordable energy for both now and in the future. 

“Energy affordability is crucial for the economic stability of families and small businesses. High costs strain household budgets and have a broader impact on local economies,” said Senator Miller. “We must find solutions to address generation, regulations, and innovative solutions for the future of energy in Pennsylvania.”

“Energy affordability remains a pressing concern for Pennsylvanian families. While Pennsylvania’s energy resources help keep costs relatively competitive, many households and industries still struggle with rising energy prices,” said Senator Marty Flynn. “Factors like infrastructure, market volatility, and federal regulations all impact affordability, making it crucial that we continue to pursue balanced energy policies that support both economic growth and consumer protection.”

“As Pennsylvania’s electricity landscape continues to evolve, the PUC remains focused on ensuring resource adequacy through continued engagement with PJM, utilities, and stakeholders to address emerging grid reliability challenges; fostering a competitive electricity market that provides affordable and transparent options for consumers; and enforcing strict supplier oversight to ensure that Pennsylvanians are protected from deceptive marketing and unfair business practices,” said Stephen DeFrank, PUC Chairman.

Adam Walters, the Senior Energy Advisor of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, emphasized the importance of state intervention. He explained that Governor Shapiro’s Lightning Plan aims to meet energy demands while incorporating more clean power generation resources into the grid across the Commonwealth.

“Each of these pieces of the Lightning Plan seeks, in multiple ways, to address the fundamental challenge I noted at the outset – the power market is not generating optimal outcomes for Pennsylvanians,” Adam Walters said. “A failure to act now will jeopardize Pennsylvania consumers through runaway costs on their utility bills and put us in a competitively disadvantaged position for attracting new businesses. Luckily, we currently have a unique opportunity to play a key role in bringing stability.”

“Before the OSBA establishment in 1998, small businesses lacked representation in PUC matters,” said NazAarah Sabree, Pennsylvania’s Small Business Advocate. “While residential and low-income consumers had dedicated advocates and large commercial industrial consumers had private legal representation – small business were left without a voice resulting in a disproportionate share of rate increases.”

“Pennsylvania and the wider region will need to build new reliable sources of generation to keep costs down,” said Robert Routh of Pennsylvania Climate & Energy – National Resources Defense Council. “Adam walked through the six bills in Governor Shapiro’s Lightning Plan, and as we wait for the official text for each of those bills to dive into the details. Based on the concepts that we have heard and the deep understanding of the problems that this legislative packaged is designed to solve – we are highly encouraged and eager to see the texts.”

“Diversifying our grid with clean energy and modern transmission is essential to achieving lower costs—and Pennsylvania is behind much of the country in this regard,” said Chris D’Agostino of Advanced Energy United. “For instance, states like Texas, where 30% of electricity comes from renewables, compared to less than 5% in Pennsylvania, enjoy lower average electricity rates. Clean energy and affordability go hand in hand.”

“Pennsylvania could also find ways to encourage technologies that make the heating and cooling process itself more energy efficient,” said Seth Blumsack of Center for Energy Law and Policy, Penn State University. “Clean and efficient thermal energy technologies such as geothermal heating and cooling have broad potential in Pennsylvania and are reflected in some aspects of Governor Shapiro’s lightning plan.”

The panelists for today’s hearing included:  

Senator Nick Miller was elected Policy Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus in December 2024. Today’s hearing was his third as Chair.  

Footage of the hearing, as well as the written testimony of the panel, is available at PASenatorMiller.com/Policy. Photographs and downloadable video are available upon request.  

######  

Testimony 

Panel 1 – An Overview of Our Energy Outlook and Regulatory Oversight

Panel 2 – The Administration’s Lightning Plan and Consumer/Small Business Education

  • NazAarah Sabree, Small Business Advocate, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Office of Small Business Advocate

Panel 3 – Innovative Energy Solutions