In the near future, we will introduce legislation to strengthen Pennsylvania’s oversight of electric load forecasting, ensuring system planning is transparent, accurate, and protects ratepayers.
 
Recent reports from PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. (PJM), have highlighted that electricity demand across the PJM footprint—including Pennsylvania—is projected to grow significantly due to data centers, electrification of vehicles and buildings, and other large load additions. PJM recently projected that by 2030, the region will see an additional 32 gigawatts of demand, of which 30 gigawatts are attributable to data centers.
 
Currently, PJM relies on load forecasts submitted by Pennsylvania’s electric distribution companies to establish system planning needs and capacity requirements. These forecasts directly affect decisions that carry significant cost impacts for consumers.
 
However, the process by which utilities and load-serving entities submit information to PJM is opaque, and policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders lack confidence in the data's reliability.   For example, a recent report from the PA PUC showed one Pennsylvania utility (PPL) projecting its load to grow over the next 9 years by over 200% while the next closest utility was at 11% over the same period of time.   Such a wide disparity raises questions about how Pennsylvania utilities are evaluating requests for new service from large customers and relaying that information to PJM. Moving forward, accurate load forecasting is essential to ensure system reliability, avoid resource overbuilding and underbuilding, and protect Pennsylvania consumers from unnecessary costs.
 
My legislation will provide the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) with authority and responsibility to:
 

• Review and validate load forecasts submitted by Pennsylvania utilities to PJM;

 

• Coordinate with PJM and other state regulators to ensure accuracy and prevent duplicative counting of projects and contracts; and

 

• Access all relevant materials, including confidential agreements, necessary to carry out this oversight.

 
This legislation is about ensuring transparency, accountability, and consumer protection as Pennsylvania’s energy landscape rapidly evolves. By enhancing oversight of load forecasting, we can protect ratepayers, strengthen reliability, and provide greater confidence in long-term planning.
 
I invite you to join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation.