PJM Conference to Highlight How PA Must Do More for Energy Production, House GOP Leaders Say

PHILADELPHIA - Monday's multi-state conference about the power grid will be held in Philadelphia, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is primed to showcase how we can and must lead the way to produce more electricity and meet skyrocketing demand, according to Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia), caucus chair for the House Republican Caucus. PJM Interconnection is the regional grid operator for 13 states and Washington, D.C. Monday's conference is meant to address innovative supply-and-demand solutions, among other topics, and attendees are expected to include several governors from the Mid-Atlantic. "PJM has repeatedly warned that our country is not producing nearly enough electricity to keep up with demand. Continuing to ignore these warnings in favor of prioritizing unworkable green energy policy over reliable electricity generation is damaging our grid and costing consumers, which was all too evident in June when electricity prices rose nearly 20 percent for the second consecutive year," White said. White criticized Democrats in Harrisburg for wanting to expand the state's reliance on unreliable, intermittent sources of "green" energy, while taxing and limiting the growth of new industries like data centers, all of which will lead to even higher electricity bills. She said if they continue to choose so-called progressive policies over generating enough reliable electricity to meet demand, prices will continue rising for everyone. "Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro can use this time to turn words into action by pursuing House Republicans' plan to unleash the energy industry by pulling us from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), stop pushing new energy taxes that raise costs, reduce burdensome regulations and expedite permitting for new electricity generation," White said. A report released in July from the North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) highlighted potential strains on PJM's resources in the coming years and noted that certain scenarios like a polar vortex could lead to operational risks immediately. House Republican Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton) echoed White's comments that Pennsylvania needs to make energy policy a priority to provide sustainability to the energy grid and drive economic growth in Pennsylvania. "Pennsylvania's energy economy has been stagnant for too long," Topper said. "The House Republican Caucus has been leading in prioritizing pro-energy policies, like getting out of RGGI and easing regulatory burdens, that can ensure our Commonwealth has reliable sources of homegrown energy at affordable prices. The policy proposals we need to make are simple, yet they can be transformative for our future. If Pennsylvania wants to capitalize on its economic growth potential in both the tech and energy sectors, that starts with smart policy choices that clear the way in unleashing the power-generating resources right under our feet." Topper said he thinks often about how five-year growth projections estimate nearly 15% in increased electricity needs from the industries that play a major role in Pennsylvania's economy. "This is the time for action," he said. Representative Martina White 170th District Pennsylvania House of Representatives Media Contact: Jennifer Fitch 717.260.6563 [email protected] RepWhite.com / facebook.com/RepMartinaWhite

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