Shapiro Administration: PJM Interconnection Selects 3 PA Projects In Expedited Program To Add 1.7 GW Of Generation, Energy Storage To Grid; DEP Accepting New Proposals By Nov. 16

On November 5, the Shapiro Administration announced three Pennsylvania energy projects have been selected for PJM’s first Expedited Interconnection Track (EIT), a new process designed to help major energy projects connect to the electric grid more quickly. 

The Pennsylvania projects represent 68 percent of the total proposed capacity, and are expected to add a combined 1.7 gigawatts (GW) of energy generation and storage capacity by mid-2029-- enough to power nearly 900,000 homes. 

Two of the three projects are battery storage facilities that will contribute 1.36 GW of clean energy storage capacity, helping strengthen grid reliability, increase the supply of energy, and put downward pressure on electricity costs.

As of October 28, 2026, the PJM approved Pennsylvania projects include:

-- French Creek Storage (Crawford County): Developed by Engie North America, this project will create an 860 MW battery storage facility that can store electricity and release it when demand is high, improving grid reliability and energy availability.

-- Sammis Project (Beaver County): Developed by Little Blue Solar, this project would add a 500 MW battery storage facility that can store electricity and release it when demand is high, improving grid reliability and energy availability

-- Hunterstown Expansion (Adams County): Developed by Hunterstown Generation, this project would conduct an update at an existing natural gas power plant, adding 367 MW of generating capacity.

[Note: The PJM Interconnection announced projects originally on October 8.]

“We need to get more reliable energy onto the grid faster to meet growing demand and help protect Pennsylvanians from rising electricity costs,” said Governor Shapiro.  “I’m an all-of-the-above energy Governor, and that means advancing every source of energy that can help power our homes and businesses.

“My Administration is working to cut red tape and move projects forward, and these three Pennsylvania projects are an important step to accomplishing that. PJM must continue to move faster to bring new energy resources online, strengthen transparency and accountability, and ensure decisions are made in the best interest of the 67 million people who rely on this grid.”

“DEP is committed to working closely with these projects to ensure they have the permits they need to be ready to provide electricity to the grid by 2029,” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “DEP continues to advance the Governor’s all-of-the-above energy approach, supporting cleaner energy sources and innovative technologies, including battery storage, that can help reduce pollution and strengthen grid reliability. These projects will help ensure that when electricity demand is highest, reliable power is available for homes, critical health facilities, and public safety buildings across the Commonwealth.”

The need to bring new energy resources online is increasingly urgent [due to a spike in energy demand from A.I. data centers]. 

In its July 2026 capacity auction, PJM fell short of its reliability requirement by more than 6.8 GW, despite nearly every available megawatt of electricity clearing the auction. 

The shortfall underscores the need to accelerate new energy generation and storage as electricity demand grows and projects continue to face delays in PJM’s interconnection queue.

DEP Soliciting New Proposals

DEP published notice in the October 10 PA Bulletin announcing a new Request for Information on prospective energy generation or storage projects that could be eligible for State sponsorship by the Commonwealth to PJM Interconnection as an Expedited Interconnection Track Project for the 2027 window.

Responses are due November 16.  Read more here.

Click Here for the Shapiro PJM Project selection announcement.

(Photo: Pittsburgh-based EOS Energy Storage manufacturing plant.)

Resource Links:

-- DEP Soliciting Energy Generation, Storage Projects For 2027 Round Of PJM Expedited Interconnection Program Reviews [PaEN]

-- PJM Selects 860 MW Battery Storage Project, 455 MW Natural Gas Plant In Pennsylvania For Expedited Interconnection [PaEN] 

Related Articles This Week:

-- PA Election Results: Democrats Now Control PA Senate, Retain PA House, Governor’s Office  [PaEN] 

-- PJM Interconnection Winter Outlook: Power Supplies Should Be Available To Meet Expected Cold Weather Conditions  [PaEN]  

-- Shapiro Administration: PJM Interconnection Selects 3 PA Projects In Expedited Program To Add 1.7 GW Of Generation, Energy Storage To Grid; DEP Accepting New Proposals By Nov. 16  [PaEN]   

-- PUC Updates Comment Schedule On New Tools To Manage Data Centers During Emergency Periods Of Strained Electricity Supplies And Curtailments To Maintain Grid Reliability; Nov. 17 Technical Conference On Data Center Costs  [PaEN] 

-- PA Solar Center: Ambridge Borough Flips Switch On New Rooftop Solar Energy System Saving Taxpayers $509,000 In Beaver County  [PaEN] 

NewsClips:

-- The Center Square: A.I. Data Center Disgust Played Significant Role In State Senate Flip, Winners Say  [Comment: It Wasn’t $15 Minimum Wage That Flipped These Seats] 

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Data Centers, Energy Costs, Fracking Issues Loom As Democrats Finally Get Full Control Of PA Legislature

-- TribLive Editorial: What Is The Message Of PA’s Trifecta? If There Aren’t Solutions To Data Centers, Skill Games, State Budget It’s All On Democrats Now

[Posted: November 5, 2026]  PA Environment Digest