Legislation soon to be introduced in the state Senate would address the electric generation shortfall PJM, the organization that manages the mid-Atlantic power grid, faces.
The Grid Stabilization and Security Act would direct the Pennsylvania departments of Community and Economic Development and Environmental Protection to identify suitable sites for natural gas electric generation projects.
“Since 2019, there have been no new investments in baseload electric generation in Pennsylvania,” state Sen. Gene Yaw (R- Bradford), Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee chairman, who will introduce the bill, said. “To maintain our position as the energy powerhouse of the mid-Atlantic and meet growing energy demands, we need to be investing in new generation capacity now. The Grid Stabilization and Security Act will play a key role in accelerating this process and preparing sites to attract development.”
Yaw along with Pennsylvania and Ohio legislators convened a series of hearings last session to discuss collaboration as a way to address the challenges PJM faces.
Yaw recently introduced bills that would protect the power grid from purposeful damage, place decisions regarding energy restrictions within the purview of the state, and create an Independent Energy Office. He plans to reintroduce a bill establishing a Pennsylvania Baseload Energy Development Fund.