Pennsylvania is central to the 13-state electric grid called PJM, which helps keep the power on across many states. However, a recent report warns that government policies have weakened this grid, making it more vulnerable to disruptions.
By 2030, there could be a power shortage if these problems continue to grow.
This is a concern in Washington and various state capitals, said Ken Zapinski, director of research and public policy at Pittsburgh Works Together, the organization that published the report. The report states that the PJM grid is in danger.
PJM acts as a coordinator, planning for future energy needs and managing the market where electricity is bought and sold across 13 states and Washington, DC. States like Pennsylvania, Illinois, and West Virginia produce more electricity than they use, which is then bought by states like Ohio and Virginia, supplying power to 65 million people.
However, increasing demand for electricity, difficulties in building new power plants and transmission lines, and unclear authority over certain problems are causing frustration.
No matter your stance on energy, building new infrastructure is essential, Zapinski said. But in the U.S., it’s costly, time-consuming, and challenging to build large projects.
As coal plants close, new power sources aren’t being built fast enough. Local zoning issues, state and federal regulations, and financial delays after regulatory approval are slowing progress.
To keep the grid running, regardless of future energy decisions, we need to build more infrastructure, Zapinski said. If Pennsylvania reduces its power production, there’s no clear plan on how to handle that.”
A June report from PJM warned that energy demands will significantly increase by 2040. The grid will need an additional 623 to 798 terawatt-hours of electricity annually by then.
A shortage of power supply is almost certain unless fossil fuel retirements slow down or more energy generation is built quickly.
However, federal rules, such as an EPA regulation requiring coal plants to upgrade or close by 2032, are leading to early retirements. Meanwhile, PJM only approved 11 gigawatts of new projects in 2023.
The combination of state and federal rules, along with the priorities of energy producers, utilities, and businesses, often work against each other.
“The real problem is that no one is in charge,” Zapinski said. “There are many public and private players responsible for different parts of the system, and for everything to work, they must all align. If they don’t, things can quickly fall apart.”
In February, a joint Pennsylvania-Ohio House and Senate Committee heard testimony on how bureaucracy is shutting down power plants before new ones are ready, straining the reliability of the grid. However, finding a single solution is difficult because no one group has full control.
As wind and solar energy sources grow, and coal and natural gas plants decrease, the risk of blackouts, like those in Texas and California, increases.
That’s a bad situation, Zapinski said.
Blue & Gold NLR Team is a dedicated journalist at blueandgoldnlr.com, where he provides insightful and up-to-date news coverage. With a passion for uncovering the truth and a commitment to delivering accurate information, Blue & Gold NLR Team brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team. His work ensures readers stay informed about the latest events and developments.