PA Environment Digest Blog

Thursday, October 22, 2026

Joint State Government Commission Issues Update On Report Looking At The Costs, Benefits And Risks Of Pennsylvania Participating In The PJM Interconnection; Hearings To Be Held

On September 25, the Joint State Government Commission posted an update on the report it is preparing on the costs, benefits and risks of Pennsylvania’s participation in the PJM Interconnection.

The report was authorized by House Resolution 361 (Matzie-D-Beaver) passed by the House unanimously on June 3, 2026.

The 72-page report update includes a description of PJM’s organizational and operational structure and a list of preliminary findings regarding the significant issues identified to date.

It also provides background information to introduce the uninitiated to the United States electrical grid and the evolution of PJM from a southeast Pennsylvania agreement between two power companies located in Pennsylvania and New Jersey to an organization serving more than 67 million people, overseeing approximately 186,000 megawatts of generation capacity, and more than 88,000 miles of transmission lines covering over 360,00 square miles of territory.

Initial Issues

The report also identifies some initial issues the Commission will be looking at, including--

-- Structure: The organizational structure of PJM compared to other RTOs and other means of coordinating transmission networks in lieu of an RTO.

-- Governance: Qualifications of members of the organization, how representative the organization is, and the role of state government in the decision-making process, including voting rights.

-- Energy Costs: Costs of electricity and ratemaking, as well as litigation regarding those issues that are occurring in other PJM states.

-- Generation Capacity/Demand: The development of new, and expansion of existing generation capacity, and the impact of data centers and other drivers of demand.

-- Clean Energy Sources: Alternative energy sources and newer technologies, such as linear generators, gridscale battery storage, advanced transmission technologies, grid-enhancing technologies, and surplus interconnection service have been suggested as ways to increase capacity and lower costs to consumers. The potential impact of these new energy sources and technological developments will also be assessed.

-- Grid Resiliency/Reliability: Resiliency and reliability are also important issues, given that extreme weather events have taken a toll on transmission infrastructure in general. Ways to harden and create backup redundancy in the event of weather-related blackouts need further exploration.

Click Here for a list of issues to be addressed from the House Resolution.

Public Comments

The House Resolution calls for the Commission to hold public hearings to gathering information for the report.

The Commission said its staff is in the process of organizing the hearings “through the fall and early winter of 2026."

The Commission invited any individuals or organizations to submit written comments to the Commission by email to: jntst02@legis.state.pa.us or in writing to this address-- Joint State Government Commission, Room 108 Finance Building, 613 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120.

Click Here for a copy of the progress report and a one-page summary.

Lancaster Conservancy Adding Over 20 Acres To Climbers Run Nature Center

On October 22, the Lancaster Conservancy announced the acquisition of an over 20-acre property which will expand Climbers Run Nature Center and protect an additional section of the Climbers Run stream.

“The Conservancy is delighted to work with this property owner to protect a beloved forest and stream while expanding Climbers Run Nature Center, our home for hands-on conservation education in Lancaster County. Preserving this priority wildlife habitat and stream corridor is central to our commitment to keeping this landscape intact and healthy for generations to come,” said Lancaster Conservancy President and CEO Fritz Schroeder.

The property, which is located between Climbers Run Nature Center and Trout Run and Steinman Run nature preserves, includes upland forest, forested bottomlands, and a pond, in addition to a section of stream that provides habitat for native brook trout.

The stream from this property then flows through the existing area of Climbers Run Nature Center before emptying into Pequea Creek and eventually the Susquehanna River.

“Protecting connected corridors of natural lands is important for supporting wildlife, which need space to move, live, and find food. It also creates the potential for expanded recreation opportunities,” said Kate Gonick, Lancaster Conservancy’s senior vice president of land protection and general counsel. “This is a critical connector tract, and the Conservancy appreciates the owners’ willingness to work with us on protecting this property forever.”

In the future, the Conservancy hopes this property will help to link Climbers Run Nature Center with the Enola Low Grade Trail.

This is one of the last undeveloped tracts of forest directly across from the Enola Low Grade Trail, in an area which is facing development pressure.

Climbers Run Nature Center is located within the Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Landscape, a landscape designated by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources which includes the municipalities that border the Susquehanna River in Lancaster and York counties.

The Susquehanna Riverlands are a priority for conservation.

Climbers Run Nature Center is the Conservancy’s home for education programming and volunteerism in Lancaster County.

It is currently closed for renovations, which will include updates to the Russo Family Foundation Barn and Education Center and installation of a new universal access trail, water quality improvement projects, and native plant demonstration gardens.

The Conservancy anticipates reopening the preserve in 2027.

This addition to Climbers Run Nature Center will transfer from the owners to the Conservancy in late spring 2027 and remains closed to the public.

Funding to acquire this property is being provided in part by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund as well as the County of Lancaster.

The Conservancy is continuing to fundraise for this acquisition.

The Lancaster Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust that has protected over 11,000 acres of natural lands in Lancaster and York counties.

Managing over 50 nature preserves and more than 60 miles of trails open free of charge from dawn to dusk, the Conservancy strives to protect and restore our region’s natural landscape and provide opportunities for everyone to experience the outdoors.

Thursday PA Environment & Energy Articles - NewsClips: 10.22.26

“The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.”