The PUC is closely coordinating efforts with the regional electric grid operator PJM Interconnection, as well as local electric and natural gas utility operators across Pennsylvania, to ensure that systems remain reliable during this cold snap.
“The relatively mild weekend conditions may conceal the extremely cold weather expected to hit Pennsylvania early next week – leaving some consumers surprised and potentially unprepared,” said PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank. “We are working around the clock with PJM and all of our utilities to ensure that everyone is fully prepared for the higher stress on energy delivery systems. We want to make sure that Pennsylvania families and businesses stay warm and safe over the long holiday weekend and into the early part of next week.”
“Similar To Winter Storm Elliott”
“In many respects, this situation feels similar to Winter Storm Elliott in 2022, when bitter cold temperatures stretched the energy grid to extremes,” Chairman DeFrank added. “Fortunately, this time we have more time to prepare, and our lines of communication with PJM and the utilities are open and active. We are ready to implement voluntary conservation steps, if needed, and are prepared for any additional directives from PJM.”
[Editor’s Note: During Winter Storm Elliott PJM Interconnection reported 70% of the electric generation plant outages that failed to bring power to the electric grid were natural gas-fired power plants that brought PJM to the brink of rolling blackouts. Read more here.
[While some improvements have been made to natural gas infrastructure to better withstand extreme weather conditions, in November the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s Winter Reliability Assessment said natural gas electric generation “is threatened this winter by ongoing concerns with natural gas production and delivery in extreme conditions.” Read more here.]
Close Coordination and Preparations Underway
The PUC is working closely with local utilities, PJM and various state agencies to ensure that all parties are prepared for the challenging days ahead.
-- PJM Declaration of Conservation Operations - PJM Interconnection has issued a Declaration of Conservation Operations from Monday, January 20, through Wednesday, January 22, to allow more flexibility to maintain reliability and to ensure that all systems and equipment are ready for the frigid conditions.
-- Utility Actions - Utilities throughout the state are already taking steps to prepare for the added stress on their systems, including:
-- Increased Customer Outreach about conservation, efficiency and service issues.
-- Added Staffing for possible maintenance and repair.
-- Ensuring Equipment and Materials are in stock.
-- Canceling Non-Essential Planned Outages during the event.
-- Monitoring Circuits and Equipment to identify potential issues.
-- Identifying Critical Circuits that support essential facilities (e.g., hospitals).
-- Conducting Additional Leak Surveys for natural gas systems.
-- Preparing Emergency Messaging Systems, in the event they are needed.
PUC Working With State Agencies
The PUC continues to work closely with the Governor’s Office, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Environmental Protection, and other agencies that may be involved in a coordinated response to severe weather-related energy issues.
Tips for Consumers
The PUC urges residents to stay informed and consider simple steps to reduce energy usage when temperatures plunge, such as:
-- Adjust Your Thermostat – Lowering the thermostat a few degrees, especially during times you are away or asleep, can significantly reduce energy consumption.
-- Seal Leaks and Drafts – Use weather stripping, caulk, or door sweeps to block cold drafts and keep warm air indoors.
-- Use Natural Sunlight – Open curtains and blinds on sunny days to let in warmth and close them at night to retain heat.
-- Bundle Up Indoors – Dress in layers and use extra blankets to stay warm without turning up the heat excessively.
-- Maintain Heating Systems – Change furnace filters regularly and schedule maintenance if possible, ensuring systems run efficiently.
-- Unplug and Power Down – Turn off lights and unplug electronics when not in use to conserve electricity.
“Everyone has a role to play in managing energy usage,” Chairman DeFrank noted. “Simple steps can help keep bills manageable, reduce the strain on energy systems, and ensure that critical power remains available to all who need it. Stay tuned for any additional updates or recommendations over the weekend and early next week.”
Stay Informed
The PUC urged consumers to take the following additional steps, to ensure they receive important updates in a timely manner:
-- Follow announcements from your local utility and from the PUC for any changes or updates regarding possible conservation measures.
-- Sign up for alerts and notifications from local weather services, your utility company, PEMA, and local emergency management agencies.
-- Follow your utility, the PUC, and emergency agencies on social media to receive those updates.
-- Check local media and PUC resources over the holiday weekend for any quickly developing updates.
Consumers should also remember that Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 20, is part of the holiday weekend when many households and businesses may alter their normal schedules—an added factor to keep in mind when planning your energy use.
Click Here for the PUC announcement.
Resource Links:
-- 30 Stakeholder Comments Received By PUC On Adequacy Of Electricity Supplies In Pennsylvania; Increasing Natural Gas Power Plant Reliability To 90-95% Would Mean No Imminent Capacity Problem [PaEN]
-- PUC Invites Stakeholder Comments On The Issue Of The Adequacy Of Electricity Supplies In Pennsylvania [Background On Electricity Supply Issue] [PaEN]
-- PUC Urges Natural Gas Customers To Explore Ways To Reduce Heating Costs; All But One Major Gas Utility Has Increased Cost Of Gas In PA [PaEN]
-- PUC: Natural Gas Distribution Companies Prepare For Winter - Gas Consumption Expected To Decrease 1.8%, Cost For Residential Customers To Increase 1% [PaEN]
-- PUC Encourages Consumers To Prepare For Dec. 1 Electricity Price Changes; Rates Will Vary From 8.4% Decrease To 31.2% Increase [PaEN]
-- Utility Dive: North American Electric Reliability Corp: Natural Gas Electric Generation Is Threatened This Winter By Ongoing Concerns About Gas Production, Delivery In Extreme Weather Conditions [PaEN]
-- PJM Interconnection Winter Outlook: Adequate Power Supplies Available Under Normal Conditions; PJM Delays Next Power Auction After Prices Spike [PaEN]
-- Pennsylvania’s Electric Grid Is Dependent On One Fuel To Generate 59% Of Our Electricity; Market Moving To Renewables + Storage [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- Registration Now Open! 2025 Shale Gas & Public Health Conference At Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Online Feb. 27 [PaEN]
-- Rep. Vitali Introduces Bill To Ban Road Dumping Millions Of Gallons Of Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater, Supported By The Shapiro Administration [PaEN]
-- What The Shale Gas Industry Is Leaving Behind: Diversified Production LLC Starts 2025 With 11 Violations For Abandoning, Not Plugging Shale Gas Wells [PaEN]
-- What The Conventional Oil & Gas Industry Is Leaving Behind: Abandoned Conventional Oil & Gas Wells On Federal Lands - Shenango River Lake, Allegheny National Forest [PaEN]
-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Oil & Gas Companies Need Greater Incentives To Cap Their Old Wells [Higher Well Plugging Bonds Needed To Keep Number Of Abandoned Wells From Rising]
-- Rep. Vitali Introduces Bill To Establish DEP Environmental Justice Permit Review Program In Law, Analyze Cumulative Impacts Of Pollution From Facilities, Supported By DEP [PaEN]
-- EPA Issues Permit To Seneca Resources Company For Elk County Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well [PaEN]
-- TECfusions Unveils Massive 1,400-Acre Data Center Project With 3 Gigawatts Of Natural Gas-Fired Power Generation In Westmoreland County [PaEN]
-- 30 Stakeholder Comments Received By PUC On Adequacy Of Electricity Supplies In Pennsylvania; Increasing Natural Gas Power Plant Reliability To 90-95% Would Mean No Imminent Capacity Problem [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- PennLive Letter: There Must Be More Oversight Of Dangerous Fracking Wastewater In PA - By Dr. Robert Little
-- Post-Gazette Guest Essay: When Power (Or Labor) Is Not Reliable, It’s Hard To Do Business - By Pittsburgh Works Together
-- ABC27: Democrats Join Republicans In Excitement To Bring Energy To Pennsylvania: ‘Drill, Baby, Drill’
-- Marcellus Drilling News: Natural Gas Flowing To Cove Point LNG Gas Export Facility In Maryland Drop Due To Cold Weather [PDF of Article]
-- Financial Times: AI Set To Fuel Surge In New US Natural Gas Power Plants
-- JD Supra: PA Superior Court Reaffirms the Dunham Rule In Cases Where Multiple Mineral Rights Claims, Property Deeds Thought To Convey Or Not Convey Oil & Gas Rights
-- Marcellus Drilling News: Weather Causes NYMEX Natural Gas Prices To Soar, Marcellus-Utica Shale Spot Prices Soar Too [PDF of Article]
-- Bloomberg: Europe Threatens To Trigger A Global Scramble For Natural Gas, Prolonging The Pain Of Higher Bills For Consumers, Factories
-- Utility Dive: PJM’s Capacity Market Auction Proposal Faces Pushback From Market Monitor, Generators, Renewable Energy Companies
[Posted: January 17, 2025] PA Environment Digest
