PA Environment Digest Blog: Washington & Jefferson College Hosts March 19 Webinar On Meeting The Challenges Of The Electric Grid

The Washington & Jefferson College Center for Energy Policy and Management will host a free March 19 webinar on PJM Interconnection’s role as the Mid-Atlantic regional electric transmission organization in meeting increasing electric demand and ensuring reliable service while the amount of available generation capacity continues to tighten.

“Meeting the Challenges of the Electric Grid: PJM’s Role” will be the subject of a free, hour-long webinar at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 19.

It will be presented by Stephen Bennett, Senior Manager of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs at PJM Interconnection as part of the CEPM’s Energy Lecture Series.

PJM manages the electric grid for all or part of 13 states, including Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., and is responsible for ensuring reliable electric service at all times.

The grid is facing a rapid increase in demand for electricity from a growing number of energy-intensive data centers and industrial projects and continuing electrification of vehicles and residences.

At the same time, the amount of available electric generation is tightening as fossil-fuel fired plants that provide around-the-clock electricity are retiring due to policy and economic pressures, and the number of new generation projects joining the grid is not keeping pace due to a number of factors.

In addition, some new renewable energy projects that have received approval are slow to connect to the grid.

This has led Gov. Josh Shapiro to voice concerns about limiting future cost increases after a big jump in PJM’s most recent capacity auction prices and to demand changes to PJM’s rules.

Bennett is the PJM liaison for Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania. In this role, he interacts with state utility commissions, executive agencies and legislators on energy policy in the areas of grid reliability, transmission planning, operations and wholesale markets.

The webinar is approved for Continuing Legal Education in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio. Contact the Washington County Bar Association at wcba@washcobar.org for information.

Click Here to register and for more information.

Visit the Washington & Jefferson College Center for Energy Policy and Management webpage for more information on Center programs and initiatives.

Upcoming Event

-- Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance, Black Appalachian Coalition, PennFuture, Partners Host March 4 Webinar -- Why Is My Electricity Bill So High? And Going Higher? [PaEN]

Resource Links:

-- MCall: As Energy Costs Rise, Politicians, Advocates, Utilities Debate Consumer Protections And Unpaid Bills; LNG Gas Exports Driving Consumer Prices Higher

-- PA Senate Republican Leader: ‘Every Consumer Of Electricity In This Commonwealth Is Going To Pay More;’ ‘What You’re Going To Face Is Going To Be Really Unpleasant’ [PaEN]

-- Scranton Times: Scranton Wants PUC To Hold Hearing On 7.5% to 11% UGI Gas Rate Hike Request

-- Reuters: US Inflation Increases At Fastest Pace In Nearly 18 Months In January; Gasoline, Natural Gas Prices Up 1.8%

-- US EIA Natural Gas Price Forecast For 2025 Now 21% Higher Than Last Forecast At $3.80; 2026 Forecast Now $4.20

-- Gov. Shapiro Proposes ‘Lightning’ Energy Plan To Increase & Diversify Energy Generation; Reduce Climate Changing Pollution; Lower Energy Costs; Create Jobs [PaEN]

-- PA Senate Republicans Reintroduce Bills To Eliminate State Appeals Of Pipeline Permits; Limit Grounds For Appeal Of Any DEP Permits; Punish Communities For Protecting Their Constituents Against Shale Gas Drilling Impacts [PaEN]