PennFuture, Climate Power Host June 16 Webinar On A.I. Data Center Energy Challenges With PJM Independent Market Monitor Dr. Joseph Bowring Who Has Called For Blocking Interconnections And Power Plant Sales That Destabilize The Grid, Increases Prices

On June 16, PennFuture and Climate Power will host a webinar on A.I. Data Center Energy Challenges featuring PJM Independent Market Monitor Dr. Joseph Bowring from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Speakers will discuss rising electricity costs, increased pollution from fossil fuel plants and the growing strain on the electrical grid.

They will also explore policy and industry solutions that harness clean energy to meet rising energy demand.

Speakers will highlight these topics

-- Dr. Joseph Bowring, Independent Market Monitor for PJM, our regional grid operator: His presentation will share his findings and review his expert recommendation of “blocking new data center interconnections until the grid can reliably meet rising energy demand.”  He has also called for blocking power plant sales that take power away from the PJM capacity auction.

-- Sarah Friedman, Co-Founder of Better Data Center Project: She will offer a reflection of her work with local communities and officials regarding data center development.

-- Uday Varadarajan Co-Founder of Colectric: The clean energy scholar will discuss research into how clean energy can help meet the growing power demand. 

Click Here to register and for more information.

Resource Links:

-- PJM Market Monitor Files Complaint With FERC Saying PJM Is Proposing To Allow A.I. Data Centers To Connect To Grid That It Cannot Reliably Serve, Will Require Blackouts To Maintain Service  [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] 

-- Utility Dive: PJM Market Monitor Opposes 1.3 GW Gas Plant Deal Taking Generation Capacity Out Of PJM Market To Serve Data Centers

-- Utility Dive: PJM Market Monitor Opposes Maryland Power Plant Sale To Data Center Company

-- Utility Dive: PJM Monitor Urges FERC To Approve Mara Power Plant Deal Only If The Power Plant Is Kept In PJM Capacity Market

Related Articles This Week:

-- House Committee To Consider Bills To Prohibit Road Dumping Oil & Gas Wastewater, Set Minimum Standards For Power Plant Community Benefit Agreements, Encourage Monarch, Native Insect Habitats On June 8  [PaEN]  

-- Lesson For People With Concerns About A.I. Data Centers: Watch This 2010 WQED Report On Shale Gas Industry In PA; We Still Have These Same Impacts Today; Protect Yourself From The Beginning 

NewsClips:

-- WTAE: Residents, Businesses Voice Concern As Energy Costs Spike Throughout Pennsylvania 

-- PUC Consumer Reminder: Summer Electric Price Changes Begin June 1   

-- WESA: PA A.I. Data Center Pause? GRID Standards? Garrity, Shapiro Stake Out Positions  

-- WGAL: PA A.I. Data Center Projects Fuel Debate In Governor’s Race

-- Scranton Times: Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Garrity Pushes A.I. Data Center ‘Pause’ During Wilkes-Barre Twp. Event 

-- WNEP: Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Garrity Holds Listening Session On A.I. Data Centers In Wilkes-Barre Twp.  

-- Wilkes-Barre Times Leader: Gubernatorial Candidate Garrity Holds A.I. Data Center Roundtable Discussion In Wilkes-Barre Twp.

-- WVIA: Republican Governor Candidate Stacy Garrity Calls For ‘Pause’ On A.I. Data Center Development During Luzerne County Visit

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: Why Some Of PA’s Biggest A.I. Data Center Projects Won’t Have To Follow Governor’s GRID Rules [GRID Proposal Requires Legislation To Pass]

-- Spotlight PA: Shapiro Pitches A.I. Data Center Incentives, Not Regulations, As Budget Deadline Approaches 

-- Scranton Times - Chris Kelly Opinion: Shapiro Is ‘Patient Zero’ Of A.I. Data Center Virus; State Treasurer Garrity Has Decided To At Least Appear To Take The Medicine [PDF of Article]  

-- Bloomberg: The Race To Rethink A.I. Data Center Energy Use From Ground Up 

[Posted: June 3, 2026]  PA Environment Digest