The House Republican Policy Committee, under the leadership of Chairman Josh Kail, convened a hearing in Harrisburg to address concerns about Pennsylvania’s electricity grid. The session was titled “Fighting to Keep the Lights On in PA” and featured Stephen Bennett from PJM as a key testifier.
PJM, which supplies electricity to over 65 million people across 13 states and Washington, D.C., has expressed concerns about reliability due to an inability to meet growing electricity demand. A recent capacity auction by PJM showed a significant increase in capacity prices, highlighting rising demand coupled with reduced supply.
Chairman Kail criticized proposed energy policies by Democrats that could hinder the use of Pennsylvania’s rich natural resources. He argued these policies would lead to missed investment opportunities, job losses, and decreased environmental sustainability.
According to Energy Citizens, Pennsylvania’s natural gas and oil industry supports nearly half a million jobs and contributes significantly to the state’s economy and wildlife conservation funding. The state is also noted for its leadership in emissions reductions.
Kail stated, “We’ve heard from all corners of the state that consumers cannot afford to pay their utility bills. That they now have to brace to live in the dark is absolutely ludicrous.” He emphasized that utilizing Pennsylvania’s resources is crucial for both economic stability and energy security.
The hearing can be viewed online for those interested in further details.
