DEP Issues Request For Information On Proposed Electric Generation Or Storage Projects Eligible For State Sponsorship Under PJM Expedited Interconnection Track

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the March 28 PA Bulletin issuing a Request for Information on proposed electric generation or energy storage projects eligible for state sponsorship and connection to PJM as an Expedited Interconnection Track Project.

Responses are due by June 5.

DEP is issuing the RFI to--

-- Determine the level of private-sector interest in designing, developing and commercializing energy capacity projects that meet PJM's EIT requirements.

-- Determine the extent to which proposed EIT projects align with and advance other key Commonwealth priorities.

-- Solicit initial feedback on the potential use of loans or loan guarantees to support EIT project deployment and further energy infrastructure investments through the United States Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Dominance Financing Program.

Background

In recent years, Pennsylvania has moved to build new advanced energy projects, including adding nearly 3,500 net megawatts of energy capacity to the grid in the past decade-- far more than any other state in the region.

Today, the region faces significant energy challenges. 

Over the next decade, new and significant sources of electricity load, driven by advances in sophisticated data centers, electrification and advanced manufacturing, are expected to create significant additional demand for electricity in the PJM region and across the United States.

At the same time, PJM's closed interconnection queue, alongside other supply chain challenges and political and economic uncertainty, has significantly delayed the entry of new energy supply onto the grid. 

Without additional energy supply, consumers in this Commonwealth will face higher energy costs and reliability risks to the power grid.

As a first step to addressing that challenge, PJM has indicated an intention to open an EIT by August 2026, which aims to enable eligible projects with sponsorship from the state in which they are located to secure Generator Interconnection Agreements within 10 months of application. 

The objective of this RFI is to help identify potential project developers that--

-- Can design, develop, construct and commercialize eligible projects; 

-- Will be likely to achieve the necessary conditions to submit the project by Quarter 4 2026; and

-- Can advance additional key Commonwealth priorities through the project.

Further Priority Considerations

Respondent project developers should describe how the proposed project intends to advance key Commonwealth priorities, including by:

-- Ensuring an increasingly diverse and economically sustainable energy mix within this Commonwealth that delivers lower costs to citizens in this Commonwealth.

-- Ensuring environmental protection and the conservation of natural resources in this Commonwealth including air, land and water to advance the health and safety of citizens in this Commonwealth.

-- Promoting fair labor practices, improved working conditions and a well-trained workforce, including paying prevailing wage and supporting registered apprenticeship programs.

-- Strengthening communities, including through community benefit agreements and transparent engagement across local civic sectors.

-- Respondent project developers should also indicate whether their project intends to pair with a data center developer committing to uphold the Governor's Responsible Infrastructure Development standards.

The RFI also includes provisions covering Trade Secret Information.

How To Submit/Questions

Responses will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Responses should be limited to 10 pages or fewer when possible. 

The email address to which respondents should submit responses is Ra-epenergy@pa.gov.

Respondents are welcome to contact this email address for consultation prior to submitting a response.

Read the entire PA Bulletin Notice for more information.

Related Articles This Week:

-- PA House Passes Bill To Authorize Public Utility Commission To Regulate A.I. Data Centers To Make Them Pay Their Own Way  [PaEN]

-- PA House Passes Bill To Expand Solar Energy Electric Generation To Warehouses, Distribution Centers  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Technical.ly: PA Turnpike Built Its Own Data Center Powered By A Solar Microgrid With Energy To Spare

-- TribLive: Solar Energy Project At Carlynton High School Will Power Most Of Building, Reducing Costs In Allegheny County

-- The Citizens’ Voice: Northwest Area H.S. Students In Luzerne County Win Statewide Green Energy Competition, Move On To National Competition

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Mystery Site For 4.3 GW Natural Gas Power Plant Site In SW PA Has Officials Wondering; Transmission Line Project May Hint At Site 

-- Utility Dive: NextEra To Develop 9.5 GW Of Natural Gas Power Generation In PA, TX [Still No Details Offered On Data Center Projects] 

-- Utility Dive Guest Essay: 5-Year Waits And Rising Costs For Natural Gas Generation Turbines Redefining The Energy Market - By Electric Power Research Institute [Utility Industry Group] 

-- TribLive: High Oil, Natural Gas Prices Could Outlast President War On Iran

-- Inside Climate News: President’s ‘Drill Baby Drill’ Meets Volatile Oil/Natural Gas Market Reality

-- Wall Street Journal: The Oil Supply Crunch From President’s War On Iran Spreading From The Gulf To The Rest Of The World

-- WPost: [War Profits:] US Natural Gas Exporters At Least One Winner From President’s War With Iran

-- TribLive/AP: TotalEnergies Accepts $1 Billion In US Taxpayer Funding To Walk Away From 4 GW Of Much-Needed Wind Energy Generation In US To Invest In US Oil And Gas Production  

[Posted: March 27, 2026]  PA Environment Digest