PEC Podcast: Advanced Electric Transmission Technology - More Capacity, More Power Out Of Our Existing Grid At A Fraction Of The Cost

Clean energy sources are available to meet fast-rising demand for electricity at a manageable cost—but the grid isn’t ready. Can advanced transmission technologies (ATTs) help Pennsylvania keep up?

With data centers rapidly expanding across Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth’s need for reliable, affordable electricity is growing fast. 

New transmission infrastructure is needed, but it will take years and cost billions to build out. 

What if we could get more capacity from the transmission system we already have — at a fraction of the cost, and much sooner?

In this episode of Pennsylvania Legacies, host Josh Raulerson sits down with Chris D’Agostino, Policy Principal for Advanced Energy United, and Jenny Netherton, Officer at the Pew Charitable Trusts, to explore a rising solution in Pennsylvania’s energy landscape: advanced transmission technologies (ATTs).

“ATTs are a suite of hardware and software solutions that can help us squeeze more power out of our grid,” said Netherton.

By upgrading the “highway for electrons,” ATTs can make Pennsylvania’s existing grid more efficient and resilient while new generation and transmission are being developed. 

Transmission systems equipped with these new technologies are more responsive to weather events and wildfire risks. They can also create pathways for faster deployment of new clean energy sources.

“One of the reasons why these generation systems can’t go online right away is because there’s congestion in the grid, and ATTs can help address that,” said D’Agostino. When ATTs help address that, it makes it easier for new clean energy to come online.”

Quickly scaling up renewable and zero-carbon power generation with ATTs will help rein in emissions, but it’s also a way to control rising utility costs for consumers, since the cleanest energy sources are also among the most cost-effective.

“As new large load customers and data centers choose Pennsylvania for their projects, ATTs can help manage reliability and affordability for Pennsylvania residents,” said Netherton.

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Related Article - PEC:

-- PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In October Now Available  [PaEN] 

Resource Links - A.I. Data Centers:

-- Data Center Stampede Trampling PA Ratepayers Part I:  PA Utility Law Project - Utility Terminations Up 30% Already; Prioritize Existing Loads; Centers Need To Help Pay For Utility Assistance  [PaEN] 

-- Data Center Stampede Trampling PA Ratepayers Part II: PA Consumer Advocate - PUC Should Set Conditions For Centers To Be Served By The Grid; Set Power Curtailment Priorities [PaEN]

-- Data Center Stampede Trampling PA Ratepayers Part III:  PJM Market Monitor - Data Centers Have Cost Existing Ratepayers $16.6 Billion Already; Centers Should Bring Their Own Power Generation To Prevent More Large Price Spikes  [PaEN] 

-- PJM Electric Auction Impacts: 1 In 5 PA Households Report Problems Now Paying Energy Bills; Electric Utility Shutoffs Up 38.1% So Far This Year  [PaEN] 

-- PJM Electricity Auction: PJM Lost 2.8 Gigawatts Of Power Due To Reduced Reliability Rating Of Natural Gas Power Plants; Could Gain 12.2 Gigawatts By Increasing Reliability From Less Than 75% Now To An Achievable 90%  [PaEN] 

-- Gov. Shapiro Provides Update On The Fight To Lower Energy Prices, Calls On General Assembly To Move His Commonsense Lightning Energy Plan   [PaEN] 

Related Articles This Week: 

-- Nov. 12 Joint Meeting Of DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council, Environmental Justice Advisory Board To Hear EJ Concerns With A.I. Data Centers, Update On DEP’s EJ Initiatives, Cumulative Impacts Of Facilities  [PaEN]

-- PJM Winter Power Outlook: Adequate Power Supplies Available To Serve Growing Demand Under Expected Conditions; 1 GigaWatt Of Mostly Solar Power Capacity Added Since Last Winter  [PaEN] 

-- Guest Essay: Don’t Trade Away Pennsylvania's Climate Regulations As Part Of State Budget Deal  [Fossil Fuel Power Plants Power Wave Of Data Center Proposals]  -  By Rep. Greg Vitali, Majority Chair, House Environmental & Natural Resource Protection Committee  [PaEN]

-- Moms Clean Air Force PA Urge Gov. Shapiro To Protect The RGGI Program Regulating Carbon Pollution From Power Plants To Cut Climate Pollution  [PaEN]  

-- Water At Risk: A.I. Data Centers Bait And Switch? - By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed Association, Monroe County [PaEN] 

-- PUC: Utilities Will Not Terminate LIHEAP-Eligible Heating Customers During Federal Shutdown; Customers Need To Call Utilities Now To Stay Connected This Winter  [PaEN]  

NewsClips:

-- Spotlight PA: Millions At Risk Of Power Shut Off Because Of Federal LIHEAP Funding Delays During Federal Shutdown [PA Included]

-- TribLive: Surge In A.I. Data Centers Sparks Concern Over Water Demands

-- Wall Street Journal: What Happened When Small-Town America Became A.I. Data Center, USA [PDF of Article] 

[Posted: November 5, 2025]  PA Environment Digest