Today, Pennsylvania lawmakers introduced a legislative package to advance Gov. Josh Shapiro’s “Lightning Plan,” a bold agenda to accelerate energy deployment, lower energy costs, and modernize the state’s grid. Building on previous proposals, including PRESS and PACER, this legislation tackles bottlenecks to clean energy deployment while ensuring that the benefits reach all Pennsylvanians. The package would codify key elements of the governor’s energy plan, including the creation of the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Siting and Electric Transition (RESET) Board to streamline project permitting, strengthened energy efficiency standards, and targeted investments in “community energy” to support rural and low-income communities.
In response, Evergreen Action Deputy State Policy Director Julia Kortrey released the following statement:
“This legislation makes clear that Gov. Shapiro recognizes the status quo isn’t working for Pennsylvania families. PJM’s broken approval process is stalling clean energy projects, driving up energy bills, and holding back economic growth. The Lightning Plan is a much-needed course correction that reflects the urgency of the moment and the real costs of continued inaction. By advancing this plan, the governor is making good on his promise to deliver more reliable, affordable power, quickly. We’re grateful to the legislators who introduced this package and are helping to accelerate the clean energy deployment Pennsylvania needs now—not years down the line.
“We’re especially encouraged to see siting reform and community energy at the heart of this effort. These proposals chart a clear path to lower costs, create good jobs, and expand access to clean energy. With electricity demand surging, lawmakers must act swiftly to pass this legislation and build a stronger, more affordable energy system for every Pennsylvanian.”
Last week, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley, Rep. Mandy Steele, and the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance joined Evergreen for an event to spotlight the findings of “Tackling the PJM Electricity Cost Crisis,” a new independent report from Synapse Energy Economics. The report analyzes PJM’s existing policies and its failure to bring adequate energy online, and outlines the economic benefits for Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic region if PJM addresses systemic issues with its interconnection queue. You can read more about the report’s findings here.
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