Flip a switch. The light comes on. The air conditioner hums. Your phone charges.
We take it for granted — and that’s part of the problem.
Today, Pennsylvania and the nation stand at a pivotal moment in energy history.
We’re seeing the most dramatic transformation of our energy system in more than a generation, driven by unprecedented demand growth and accelerated technological change.
But this quiet revolution often hides in plain sight, concealed by the very reliability that defines our infrastructure.
That needs to change-- and it starts with how we think, talk about, and invest in energy.
At the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), our job is to make sure that essential utility services-- electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, telecommunications, and transportation-- remain safe, reliable, and affordable for Pennsylvanians.
But increasingly, that also means anticipating the future and preparing for a wave of large-load growth, electrification, and digital infrastructure expansion that is already reshaping our grid.
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to deliver keynote remarks at Energypath 2025, hosted by the Sustainable Energy Fund at DeSales University.
Energypath brings together a diverse audience of industry leaders, policymakers, students, educators, and community advocates to explore the future of sustainable energy.
It’s the kind of event that doesn’t just inform-- it inspires.
And right now, we need that inspiration.
Because we are staring at a potential “energy gap” — a growing mismatch between the electricity our system can reliably deliver and the accelerating demand brought on by electric vehicles, heat pumps, industrial transitions, and energy-intensive sectors like data centers and AI computing.
Let me be clear: we cannot simply build our way out of this.
The idea that we can just pour concrete and erect new infrastructure fast enough to meet this demand is not only unrealistic-- it overlooks the many smarter, faster, and more flexible tools available to us.
That’s why the PUC is committed to what we call an all-of-the-above energy strategy.
This means using every tool in the toolbox to ensure resilience, affordability, and innovation.
It’s not about choosing winners or losing technologies-- it’s about deploying what works, where it works, and when it works best.
A cornerstone of this strategy is energy efficiency.
Just last month, the Commission approved Phase V of Pennsylvania’s Act 129 energy efficiency and conservation programs — building on more than 15 years of progress that has already delivered more than $4.9 billion in consumer savings.
These aren’t hypothetical benefits. They’re measurable, real-world results that reduce strain on the grid and lower utility bills for families and businesses.
But beyond how much energy we use is the question of when we use it.
Our electric grid must be built to serve the highest peaks of demand — even if those peaks only occur for a few hours each summer or winter.
That’s wasteful, costly, and increasingly unsustainable.
That’s why we’re emphasizing flexible demand solutions, including dynamic pricing, automated load control, and smart EV charging that avoids placing stress on local distribution systems.
Pennsylvania utilities have already installed more than 5 million smart meters — unlocking opportunities for time-based rates, conservation voltage reduction, and greater consumer engagement.
These are not just technological upgrades. They are foundational elements of the modern energy marketplace.
But infrastructure still matters-- especially if we want to move more clean energy into the system.
We’re focused on accelerating the interconnection of solar, wind, natural gas, nuclear, storage, and distributed energy resources-- while improving planning through grid mapping, hosting capacity analysis, and integrated distribution planning.
And we’re pursuing transmission innovations like dynamic line ratings, pioneered in Pennsylvania by PPL, that allow us to move more power more efficiently over existing lines.
Equally important is the intersection of energy and data.
Pennsylvania’s geography places it at the heart of the “broadband triangle,” between major digital corridors-- and our grid must evolve in tandem.
We cannot have a modern energy system without a strong digital foundation.
That’s why the PUC is actively involved with the state’s Broadband Development Authority, recognizing that connectivity is a utility, too.
Still, none of these innovations matter if they aren’t affordable.
The PUC is deeply focused on utility affordability and equity-- from expanding customer assistance programs to simplifying enrollment and ensuring investments deliver value.
We’re also asking hard questions about cost allocation and how to avoid creating new barriers to participation in the clean energy transition.
But there’s one more challenge we must confront-- and it may be the most insidious of all: invisibility.
Our grid has been so reliable, for so long, that it’s easy to overlook. It’s become background noise in people’s daily lives.
But make no mistake-- energy is the frontier right now. It’s where economic growth, environmental stewardship, workforce development, and technological innovation all converge.
We need to make energy visible again.
And that starts with education.
One of the most powerful moments at Energypath 2025 wasn’t a panel or a presentation. It was the student science fair — a showcase of curiosity, creativity, and possibility.
These aren’t just class projects. They are the first steps toward careers that will shape the future of our Commonwealth.
We need to ensure every student-- no matter their ZIP code or background — sees a place for themselves in the energy sector.
From engineers and lineworkers to analysts and policy experts, we are going to need passionate, capable people to guide this transition.
Because this isn’t just a technical transformation. It’s a human one.
Let me close with this: the decisions we make in the next five to ten years will shape our energy system for the next fifty.
That makes this our moon shot.
Like the Apollo mission, it will require science, strategy, and courage.
It will take investment, imagination, and collaboration.
But unlike the moon landing, this mission doesn’t belong to a handful of astronauts.
It belongs to all of us-- the engineers designing smarter grids, the workers modernizing infrastructure, the consumers making informed choices, and the students daring to dream big.
So let’s not waste this moment.
Let’s lead.
Let’s write the next chapter of our energy story— together.
Stephen M. DeFrank was unanimously confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate to serve a second term as Commissioner on June 4, 2025, after being renominated by Governor Josh Shapiro on March 24, 2025. His new term as Commissioner extends through April 1, 2030. He was appointed Chairman on August 30, 2023 and has served on the Commission since October 27, 2022.
[Editor’s Note: The bold highlights are the author’s.]
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NewsClips:
-- Post-Gazette: PJM Says Settlement Of Complaint Filed By Shapiro Tamped Down Electricity Auction Prices [$380.57 vs. cap of $329.17]
-- WHYY - Sophia Schmidt: PJM Grid Operator Auction Will Result In Higher Electricity Bills For PA, NJ, DE Customers
-- PA Capital-Star/Inside Climate News: PJM Capacity Price Hits Cap As Clean Energy Projects Remain Stalled
-- Gov. Shapiro: Legal Action Against PJM Saved PA Consumers An Estimated $1.6 Billion
-- Utility Dive: PJM Capacity Prices Set Another Record With 22% Jump; Without Market Cap They Would Be 18% Higher
-- Reuters: Biggest US Power Grid [PJM] Auction Raises Prices By 22% To New Heights
-- Inside Climate News: Are You A Customer Of PJM? Its Capacity Auction Will Affect Your Electricity Prices In 2026
-- Bloomberg: Biggest US Power Sale [PJM] To Offer Glimpse Of A.I.’s Cost To Consumers [Results To Be Announced July 22 at 4:00 p.m.] [PDF of Article]
-- Utility Dive Guest Essay: Openings For CEO And On PJM’s Board Are An Opportunity To Chart A New Course - By David Lapp, Maryland Office Of People’s Counsel advocating for residential utility consumers
-- Citizens Voice: Debate Over Rumored A.I. Data Center Draws Large Crowd In Dorrance Twp., Luzerne County
-- PennLive: Owners Of Idled Steelton Steel Mill Raise The Potential Of The Site Becoming A.I. Data Center In Dauphin County
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-- LancasterOnline: Work Already Underway On 450,000 Sq. Foot A.I. Data Center Inside A Vacant Printing Plant; Officials Say It Won’t Affect Water, Electrical Grid
-- PennLive: Controversial A.I. Data Centers Set For Big Expansion In PA, Some Ask, At What Cost?
-- WESA - Rachel McDevitt: Many Projects Credited To A.I. & Energy Summit Were Already Underway
-- PA Capital-Star: Energy And Tech Companies Said They’re Investing $90 Billion In PA, Fossil Fuel Projects Make Up Largest Category
-- Post-Gazette Guest Essay: Environmentalists Don’t Want To Talk About Energy, A.I. Policy - By Jeff Nobers, Pittsburgh Works [They weren’t invited to invitation only McCormick Summit]
-- Pittsburgh Works: Environmentalists Against Respectful Civic Discussion Of Energy, A.I. Policy [They weren’t invited to invitation only McCormick Energy A.I. Summit]
-- TribLive Guest Essay: Local Action Can Protect Allegheny County From Rising Energy Costs Caused By President’s Budget Bill - By Gregory Bernarding, Pittsburgh Regional Building Trades, & Jeanneen Zappa, Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance
-- WESA - Rachel McDevitt: Solar For All Program At Risk In PA If State Lawmakers Don’t Act Soon
-- MCall: How Federal Megabill Will Impact Green Energy Investments In Lehigh Valley
-- Penn State Extension: Geothermal Energy And Agriculture In Pennsylvania
-- Financial Times: ‘Net Zero’ Emissions Standard Paused As Shell Quits
-- Reading Eagle: Frequent Met-Ed Power Outages In Southeastern Berks Called Into Question
-- Utility Dive: A.I.- Powered Attacks On Computer Systems Rise, Now Outrank Other Risks For Information Security Officers
[Posted: July 23, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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