HARRISBURG – Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman offered the following statement regarding the Public Utility Commission’s release of the Synapse Energy Economics’ analysis on electric reliability.
“Pennsylvania has been a powerhouse and leader in energy advancement for decades, and the growing problem of electricity reliability is not just demand, but a lack of supply. The detrimental energy policies and RGGI Electricity Tax which were supported by Governor Wolf and embraced by Governor Shapiro directly led to a lack of stability for energy producers and harmed the long-term reliability of our grid. The PUC correctly states that the slow pace of new resource entry has reduced supply. While we cannot correct the harm from past decisions by the Executive Branch, we must come together to find ways to support hard-working families across Pennsylvania by making energy more affordable now and in the future.
“As society is continually expanding use of technology and social media, data centers have taken center stage, and their power demands must be carefully examined as part of the evolving energy needs of our commonwealth. Accountability is certainly necessary and Three Mile Island and Homer City Energy Campus are key examples of how these facilities can and should identify their own power sources.
“Energy access and affordability go hand-in-hand. While we led the charge to get out of RGGI and were ultimately successful last year, it does not immediately undo the damage caused by six-years of uncertainty and instability. As we look ahead, we have been clear that all sources of power should be embraced to strengthen Pennsylvania’s power grid, and I am encouraged the PUC Chairman has expressed agreement on this front and wants to ‘put as many watts on the grid as we possibly can’.”