A Temple University professor urges Gov. Shapiro to direct his proposed $1 billion infrastructure fund toward water and wastewater systems, citing Pennsylvania drinking water infrastructure grades of D from the American Society of Civil Engineers and ongoing PFAS contamination in private wells statewide.
PECO net profits jumped nearly 50% between 2024 and 2025 to $814 million following back to back rate hikes, raising concerns among consumer advocates about the incentive structure for investor owned utilities and the ongoing impact on residential customers already facing higher energy bills.
The Shapiro administration issued administrative orders blocking two proposed ICE detention centers in Berks and Schuylkill counties, asserting that converting the warehouses to hold 9,000 people would exceed local water and sewage capacity and violate state environmental regulations.
PJM Interconnection warns that the region will fail to meet required power reserves starting June 2027 due to slow replacement of retiring power plants and surging demand from electrification and data centers, leaving the 13-state grid more vulnerable to outages for the first time in its history.
While data centers are driving significant electricity demand growth, states have existing processes to manage large developments and many proposed projects are unlikely to be built. A new report shows data centers account for about 9% of global electricity demand increase through 2030, with factories leading at 36.5%.
Extreme cold temperatures challenge Pennsylvania's power grid as natural gas plants face mechanical failures and fuel delivery constraints during peak demand. Experts suggest improving winter resilience through advanced energy resources like battery storage, demand response, and virtual power plants as alternatives to gas-fired generation.
Pennsylvania solar installer Solar States and the broader industry are adapting to the elimination of federal residential tax credits by shifting to third-party ownership models that allow installation companies to claim commercial credits and pass savings to homeowners through leases and power purchase agreements.
Governor Josh Shapiro's Lightning Plan to expand energy generation and attract data centers through tax incentives and utility reforms draws mixed responses, with supporters praising grid modernization efforts while critics warn that renewable mandates and rate caps could increase costs and reduce reliability.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced plans to limit utility company profits and eliminate junk fees, creating a new watchdog to scrutinize company books and seeking legislation to cap returns on infrastructure investments as electricity rates rise due to supply-demand gaps and data center growth.
Gov. Josh Shapiro announced his GRID standards requiring data center developers to bring their own power generation, commit to transparency and community engagement, hire local workers, and protect the environment. The governor emphasized Pennsylvania's role in AI development while addressing concerns about data centers' impacts on communities, utility bills, and the environment.