HARRISBURG – Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) and Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32) convened a joint public hearing of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee to assess how Pennsylvania is preparing to meet rapidly growing electricity demand. Held at the state Capitol, the hearing brought together key energy sector leaders, regulators and developers.
“This hearing could not be more timely,” Yaw said. “Pennsylvania stands at a critical crossroads. Our electric grid is being tested by the pressures of generation retirements and unprecedented demand growth, particularly from data centers. We must ensure we have the policy tools and infrastructure in place to meet this challenge head-on.”
“Reliable energy isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity, and the alarm bells are ringing,” Stefano said. “Rising electricity demand is a sign of economic growth, driving infrastructure investment and job creation. However, we must ensure that grid stability and reliability keep pace. Just as power producers respond to market signals, ratepayers deserve confidence that there’s a clear, cost-effective path forward that keeps the lights on without breaking the bank. It’s our responsibility to work with energy leaders and regulators to strike the right balance between market growth and consumer protection. Today’s hearing was another important step toward achieving that goal.”
The hearing consisted of two panels of industry experts, one that focused on grid reliability, capacity auctions and generation development and another that focused on major new investments in Pennsylvania. Legislators heard testimony from Jason Stanek, Director of Governmental Services for PJM Interconnection, the organization that manages the mid-Atlantic power grid, as well as Stephen DeFrank, Chairman, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), Glen Thomas of GT Power Group and executives from Homer City Redevelopment, Constellation and Talen Energy.
Testimony overwhelmingly emphasized the growing strain on the grid caused by rising electricity use from data centers and delays in building new power sources. However, PJM recently fast-tracked 51 projects to add more than 11,000 megawatts of new electricity generation to be added online by 2030, according to Stanek. Additionally, the committees heard details on the PUC’s efforts to improve long-term reliability, including better forecasting of energy needs and updated rate structures.
Private sector leaders also presented major infrastructure plans to help close Pennsylvania’s energy supply gap. Corey Hessen, CEO of Homer City Redevelopment, shared details of a $10 billion project to convert the former Homer City coal plant into a natural gas-powered data center campus—the largest of its kind in the country. An estimated 25% of power generated on site will be distributed to the PJM grid.
“There are encouraging signs that the market is responding to the need for investments in power supply that hopefully continues in the face of growing demand,” Glen Thomas, GT Power Group, said. “Maintaining vigilance is important and this hearing was a terrific example of Pennsylvania’s thoughtful stewardship of energy policy.”
As Pennsylvania navigates the complex transition toward a more modern and reliable energy grid, Yaw and Stefano emphasized the importance of collaboration and strategic planning between lawmakers, regulators and private industry.
For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Sen. Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or Sen. Stefano’s website at www.SenatorStefano.com.
CONTACT:
Elizabeth Weitzel (Sen. Yaw)
717-787-3280
Jacob Gery (Sen. Stefano)
717-787-7175