PA Environment Digest Blog: PUC Commissioners Tell PA US Senators Federal Permitting Reform Should Maintain State Oversight of Transmission Line Siting Projects

As Congress engages in meaningful legislative discussions about reforming energy permitting processes, Public Utility Commissioners are urging any type of reform to maintain state oversight of high-voltage transmission line and other energy infrastructure siting.

In a joint letter to Pennsylvania’s senators, PUC Chairman Steve DeFrank, Vice Chair Kimberly Barrow and Commissioner Kathryn Zerfuss called Pennsylvania’s state siting and permitting processes “consistent, reliable and efficient” – citing that the Commonwealth has already taken steps to reform permitting processes.

“Pennsylvania has been a consistent steward of infrastructure permitting, as evidenced by its status as a net exporter of electricity and natural gas. Companies proposing to invest capital in large-scale infrastructure need regulatory certainty.”

While acknowledging that meaningful federal permitting reform is important to address rising energy demand, the commissioners cautioned against an expansion of federal siting that would preempt state oversight of high-voltage transmission line and other infrastructure siting.

Their letter reaffirmed that “backstop siting authority” already exists in federal law for the limited number of projects that may qualify for and that are located within the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor as designated by the U.S. Department of Energy.

“The PUC appreciates Congress’ interest in these important matters and stands ready to assist you in meeting the national goal of ensuring that needed energy projects are built efficiently, while also ensuring that those individuals who live closest to the projects have their interests heard.”

Currently, Pennsylvania exports 25% of its electric generation throughout the PJM Interconnection, a regional transmission organization managing the competitive wholesale electricity market and high-voltage grid for over 65 million people across 13 states and the District of Columbia.

In 2024-25, the Commission processed five high-voltage transmission line applications and 36 letters of notification in lieu of full siting applications.

Click Here for a copy of the letter.

Click Here for the PUC announcement.

Resource Link:

-- PUC Raises Cost, Other Concerns With Proposed 222 Mile Kammer Juniata Electric Transmission Line Project Going Through 10 PA Counties [To Help Feed A.I. Data Center Demands In Eastern PA] [PaEN]