Coalition forms to back Pennsylvania jobs and smart energy policies

A coalition of organizations has been formed to advocate for Pennsylvania jobs, grow the economy, and support smart energy policies. 

Powering PA Forward is calling for policies that protect investments in utility infrastructure, family-sustaining jobs, and affordable energy. 

“It’s time to tell the story of the tremendous benefits utilities provide to communities all across this commonwealth,” Keystone Contractors Association Executive Director Jon O’Brien said in a statement. “Utilities are putting people to work, constantly upgrading their equipment and heavily contributing to our tax base. 

“Powering PA Forward looks forward to telling this economic development success story, while at the same time calling for critical improvements to Pennsylvania’s energy policies that put families and small businesses first,” added O’Brien. 

The Powering PA Forward coalition consists of labor organizations, community leaders, business groups, trade associations, small businesses, and community advocates. The coalition says it advocates for energy policies that ensure Pennsylvania families and businesses have access to reliable and affordable energy. 

According to a release, Powering PA Forward’s creation comes at a critical time as PJM, the regional grid operator, and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation agree that Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic region face a growing gap between energy supply and demand. Pennsylvania is seeing new economic activity, including advanced manufacturing, electrification and proposed data center development, which places increasing demands on the grid. 

Powering PA Forward believes Pennsylvania needs new generation capacity to meet the growth. Without policy action, families and businesses will see higher energy costs, strained reliability, and a competitive disadvantage that will cost jobs.   

In its letter announcing the formation of the coalition, Powering PA Forward wrote: “Just this past December, PJM, the regional entity responsible for ensuring that there is enough supply to meet demand, held a competitive auction that failed to secure enough power to meet its current reliability target for the first time. Without sufficient supply, electric utilities, which are obligated to meet customer energy demands, will be unable to fulfill their legal obligations. This will result in reduced reliability of electric service and lost economic opportunities. 

“If the generation shortfall goes unaddressed, costs will continue to rise, and Pennsylvanians could face the prospect of rolling blackouts or brownouts as energy becomes a scarce commodity. For nearly 9 million families and businesses that depend on reliable, affordable energy, the consequences would be severe.” 

Powering PA Forward said Pennsylvania’s regulated utilities are a critical part of the solution. Overseen by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, these utilities are accountable to regulatory agencies and the communities they serve. Per Powering PA Forward, these utilities deliver energy to nearly 9 million Pennsylvania residents and businesses, reinvesting over $3 billion annually into infrastructure upgrades, electric lines, pipelines and grid modernization that support nearly 15,000 Pennsylvania jobs. 

 “Utilities then invest $3 billion annually from their regulated profits into infrastructure projects that put Pennsylvanians to work,” said Matt Espenshade, president of the Pennsylvania State Grange. “Powering PA Forward wants to protect these investments and the jobs they create, and work to find a long-term solution to address our energy needs. That’s a strategy that will benefit our agriculture industry and all Pennsylvanians.”