PIOGA Statement on Governor Shapiro’s 2026 Budget Address

Today, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro gave his annual budget address to a joint session of the General Assembly. As expected, the governor placed great emphasis on artificial intelligence and data center development, while also recognizing the continued affordability hardship that energy prices are placing on Pennsylvanians.

As the nation's second-largest energy producer, Pennsylvania stands only behind Texas in the resources it has to bring new development and affordable energy to the Commonwealth and our country. PIOGA continues to urge the Governor and the General Assembly to ensure that reliable, safe, and clean natural gas remains at the forefront of the "all of the above" energy portfolio.

Without our conventional natural gas industry, hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians would have been without reliable heat during these bitter winter months. Millions more of Americans would be without the energy they need without our Marcellus and Utica shale production.

Unfortunately, the Governor's address was strong on energy rhetoric but not on practical solutions. Price caps do not create electrons, and we need energy and environmental programs that encourage investment in Pennsylvania's natural resources and lower system-wide demand. If the Governor wants more generation faster, he cannot punish Pennsylvania's innovators that are going to produce that power.

Any plan to build more power faster must start by protecting the investments already keeping the lights on and bills down for Pennsylvanians.

Link to read more on the 2026-2027 Budget Proposal: https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2026-press-releases/governor-shapiro-s-2026-27-budget-address-as-prepared-for-delive