By a vote of 5-0, the Commission approved a motion by Vice Chair Kimberly Barrow directing PUC staff to develop proposed updates to Pennsylvania's emergency electric load control regulations, including greater clarity regarding the order, criteria and circumstances under which customers may be curtailed during pre-emergency and emergency conditions.
“The combination of rapid load growth and tightening resource adequacy conditions requires us to carefully examine whether our existing regulatory framework is sufficient for the challenges ahead,” Vice Chair Barrow said. “We need clear and consistent procedures for managing load during pre-emergency and emergency conditions, while also examining how costs associated with large new loads should be allocated. These are complex issues, but they are issues we need to address now to support reliability and protect customers.”
The motion also directs the Commission to hold a technical conference this fall examining cost responsibility associated with large computational loads, including data centers.
Addressing Emerging Reliability Challenges
The Commission's action comes amid growing concern about the balance between rapidly increasing electricity demand and the resources available to serve that demand across the PJM Interconnection.
PJM's July 2026 capacity auction identified a system-wide reliability shortfall of 6,831 megawatts for the 2028-29 delivery year. PJM has also proposed new mechanisms – including Reliability Backstop Procurement and Interim Resource Adequacy Service – intended to address resource adequacy as large new loads seek to connect to the electric grid.
Pennsylvania's existing regulations provide a basic framework for electric utilities to manage load during pre-emergency and emergency conditions.
The Commission will now examine potential updates to provide greater and more consistent direction concerning the order, criteria and applicability of curtailment.
The PUC's Law Bureau and Bureau of Technical Utility Services have been directed to prepare a Tentative Order outlining proposed changes for Commission consideration at its Oct. 1, 2026, public meeting.
If approved, the proposal would be released for public comment, with a final order targeted for Commission consideration at its Jan. 28, 2027, public meeting.
Examining Cost Responsibility Conference
Separately, the PUC will convene a technical conference this fall focused on cost allocation associated with large computational loads.
The conference will provide an opportunity for utilities, consumer advocates, large-load customers and other stakeholders to examine how costs associated with large new loads are identified and allocated, including potential impacts on customers who are not contributing to that new demand.
The Commission's actions follow Gov. Josh Shapiro's Aug. 18 Executive Order encouraging the PUC to examine data center curtailment procedures and measures addressing the allocation of data center-related costs.
Documents related to this announcement can be found at: Docket No.: M-2026-3064961.
Click Here for the PUC announcement.
Related Articles This Week - PUC:
-- PUC Moves To Address A.I. Data Center Impacts On Emergency Load Control Procedures, Allocation Of Costs Associated With Large Loads; Technical Conference On Cost Responsibility To Be Held [PaEN]
-- PUC Launches Review Of Utility Ratemaking, Working Group To Address Affordability, Transparency And Changing Economic Conditions [PaEN]
-- PJM Interconnection Proposes Changes To Reliability Standards To Address Situations Where A.I. Data Centers Disconnect From The Grid Without Warning And Threaten Grid Stability [PaEN]
-- PUC Issues $875,000 Penalty In Settlement With Columbia Gas For 2019/2020 Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Violations In Allegheny, Washington Counties [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Scranton Times: Wildcat Ridge A.I. Data Center Developer Wants All Elected Archbald Boro Council Members Removed From Data Center Decision-Making Process, Which Leads To Automatic Approval Of The Proposal; 9th Hearing Set For Today [Sept. 9] [PDF of Article]
-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Public A.I. Data Center Support Has Collapsed; Here’s What Happens Next
-- Wall Street Journal Column: Upset About A.I. Data Centers? Big Tech And The President Think You’re A Socialist Dupe
-- Wall Street Journal: States That Gave A.I. Data Centers Billions In Tax Breaks Are Now Ripping Up The Deals
[Posted: September 10, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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