Mid-Atlantic Lawmakers Unite to Address Regional Energy Crisis

Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia policymakers collaborate to restore affordability and reliability to the PJM grid HARRISBURG - Lawmakers from Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia came together last Tuesday for the first-ever, multi-state policy hearing focused on restoring energy affordability and reliability across the Mid-Atlantic region. The hearing, hosted by the Pennsylvania House Republican Policy Committee and chaired by Rep. David H. Rowe (R-Snyder/Union/Mifflin/Juniata), brought together legislators and energy policy experts to highlight the urgent need for coordinated, commonsense reforms. "Families, businesses, and communities across our region are feeling the same pressure - rising electricity bills, regulatory bottlenecks, and power shortages," Rowe said. "Our states share the same grid, the same transmission lines, and the same responsibility to keep the lights on. This hearing marks a unified effort to move beyond symbolism and toward real solutions." "As representatives from neighboring states, we are proud to be leading this initiative. Together, we're demonstrating that energy reliability and affordability aren't partisan issues; they're foundational issues that affect every family and business," wrote Rep. Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks), vice chair of the Pennsylvania House Republican Policy Committee, and Assemblyman Paul Kanitra (R-NJ) in a joint op-ed published in RealClear Energy. Marcell and Kanitra have served as the driving force behind the multi-state effort. PJM Warns of Mounting Strain A representative from PJM Interconnection, the regional transmission organization serving 67 million people across 13 states and the District of Columbia, outlined the challenges posed by accelerating energy demand, premature plant retirements, and delays in new generation. Stephen Bennett, PJM's senior manager for regulatory and legislative affairs, cautioned that while PJM is not predicting immediate blackouts, "without a significant course correction, the region could face a resource adequacy deficit by 2030 - or even sooner." He emphasized that load growth from artificial intelligence, data centers, and electrification is outpacing new generation and underscored the need for all resources - natural gas, coal, nuclear, and renewables - to meet future demand. Industry Leaders Call for Permitting Reform and Energy Realism Rob Jennings of the American Petroleum Institute pointed to Pennsylvania's 400,000 energy-supported jobs and called for permitting reform to reconnect energy supply and demand. "There's no question about supply. We have it. There's no question about demand. It's there," Jennings said. "The question is whether we can connect the two." Rachel Gleason, executive director of the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance, cited data showing coal's indispensable role during recent peak demand events: "PJM needs more power, long duration, dispatchable capacity power, because you can't run a reliable and resilient grid based on the weather," Gleason said. "Maintaining the existing coal fleet isn't just a reliability imperative-it's a necessity." Maddie Milam, executive director of the Consumer Energy Alliance, advocated for an "all-of-the-above" approach grounded in energy realism, warning that "a patchwork of incompatible state mandates" and permitting delays are straining the grid and driving up costs. Policy Solutions from the States Lawmakers from New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia shared how policy decisions in their states are impacting regional reliability. • New Jersey Assemblyman John DiMaio, the Assembly Republican leader, called for the state to leave RGGI immediately, remove unnecessary taxes, and bring new gas generation online." • Maryland Delegate Brian Chisholm warned that five plant closures and restrictive mandates have led to "skyrocketing energy bills that are crushing Marylanders." • Virginia Delegate Mike Webert, joining virtually, stressed that his state imports 38% of its energy, expressing gratitude that "all the legislators are coming together to work on this." Critique of Gov. Josh Shapiro's Approach While Shapiro has ostentatiously co-chaired the "Governors Energy and Infrastructure Working Group" with the National Governors Association, issuing bipartisan permitting and regulatory reform priorities for the federal government, the Oct. 28 policy hearing made clear that the governor's rhetoric on leadership has not translated into meaningful progress at home in Pennsylvania. Commonwealth Foundation: Policy Choices Drive Price Differences Elizabeth Stelle, vice president of policy at the Commonwealth Foundation, noted that Pennsylvania's electricity costs remain below the national average, according to the Energy Information Administration, while neighboring RGGI states face steeper prices. "Competitive markets are how we got to reliable, relatively stable electricity costs in Pennsylvania and that's how we will continue to have those in Pennsylvania," said Stelle. A Path Forward The hearing concluded with consensus that the Mid-Atlantic must coordinate on grid stability, permitting reform, and responsible energy policy to meet growing regional demand. "There was a time in America where we came together as a country," said Bennett. "So rather than cast blame, let's come together as a country, right, left, fossil, renewable-it doesn't matter. We need supply, and we need to make sure that we can meet the demand." "Energy policy isn't about politics-it's about people," Rowe said in closing. "Working families, small businesses, and manufacturers depend on affordable, reliable energy. Together, we're ready to lead with solutions that restore both." Representative David H. Rowe 85th Legislative District Pennsylvania House of Representatives Media Contact: Nancy Nilson [email protected] https://www.pagoppolicy.com

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