Walsh Supports Pennsylvania Ratepayer Protection Act to Lower Electricity Costs, Address Data Center Demand

HARRISBURG - State Rep. Jamie Walsh (R-Luzerne) has announced he is a co-sponsor of legislation to protect consumers from rising electricity costs driven by the growing energy demands of large-scale data centers, while strengthening the state's energy economy.

"The proposed Pennsylvania Ratepayer Protection Act is a proactive, sensible piece of legislation to help address potential rising energy costs with the construction of new data centers," said Walsh.

House Bill 2372 introduces a three-part strategy to lower costs and stabilize the energy market:

• Requires data center developers to fully fund their energy infrastructure and grid connections, ensuring no additional costs are passed on to consumers.
• Mandates large data centers build or secure their own power sources rather than relying on the public grid, reducing competition for limited electricity supply.
• Requires utilities to enter long-term power purchase agreements on behalf of consumers, ensuring ratepayers have equal access to stable, lower-cost energy supplies.

Together, these requirements are expected to deliver immediate electricity price reductions; increase available power supply across the PJM region; protect consumers from subsidizing large-scale energy users; and support responsible growth of the data center industry.

"By requiring data centers to meet their own energy needs and ensuring utilities secure long-term power for residents, the legislation aims to rebalance supply and demand, leading to lower prices and a more resilient energy market," said Walsh.

House Bill 2372 is awaiting assignment to a committee.

Representative Jamie Walsh
117th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
[email protected]
RepWalsh.com / Facebook.com/RepJamieWalsh

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