[Note: The package includes proposals to eliminate the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards that diversifies energy generation to lower costs, takes away citizen rights to appeal permits, eliminates the rights of citizens to petition their government for changes in environmental regulations and rolls back state environmental standards to meet federal standards.
[Unfortunately, none of the legislative language was available for these proposals.]
“Pennsylvania is in a unique position to be an energy powerhouse because of the abundance of resources we have,” said Rep. Joshua D. Kail (R-Beaver).
“Having Pennsylvania produce more baseload energy will create family-sustaining jobs and prevent brownouts and blackouts-- two devastating scenarios residents face if we do not reverse the status quo. I’m proud to help lead this effort to keep the lights on and costs down because removing obstacles creates opportunities.”
Providing Greater Certainty
The package streamlines permitting, modernizes the environmental review process, and provides greater certainty for businesses investing in Pennsylvania.
These reforms include--
-- Establishing a one-year timeline for environmental permit appeals.
-- Creating a DEP Permit Ombudsman to assist applicants and improve permitting efficiency.
-- Dramatically narrowing Environmental Hearing Board appeals to focus on the administrative record developed during permitting.
-- Eliminating the Environmental Quality Board regulatory petition process that allows citizens, businesses and other organizations to initiate environmental regulation changes.
-- Limiting state environmental permitting standards with applicable federal standards.
"All too often, bureaucracy and red tape unnecessarily slows the permitting process, which drives up project costs, slows energy production and ultimately, punishes consumers," said Rep. Eric Davanzo (R- Westmoreland). "Permit reviewers and other regulators need to adopt an approach of working with applicants rather than working against them."
“Projects are getting significantly delayed and killed during the appeals process at a time when we desperately need more electricity added to our 13-state grid,” said Rep. Mike Armanini (R-Clearfield).
Reducing Consumer Energy Costs
Recognizing that rising electricity prices are burdening Pennsylvania families and businesses, the package includes reforms to:
-- Eliminate the Gross Receipts Tax on electric utility service.
-- Protect Pennsylvania ratepayers from subsidizing electric transmission costs driven by other states through a Pennsylvania-first grid reliability approach.
“Pennsylvania is the nation's largest exporter of electricity, yet our families continue to face higher energy costs,” said Rep. Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks). “PJM's recent emergency actions highlight the consequences of energy policies that have reduced reliable generation in neighboring states. Pennsylvanians should not be forced to shoulder those costs. We need policies that support reliable energy production and keep electricity affordable for the people who produce it.”
“We can achieve responsible development if we clear the path here in Harrisburg,” said Rep. Eric Nelson (R-Westmoreland). “Because more power equals lower prices. And the most affordable energy is the power that we're able to produce right here at home.”
“Eliminating the Gross Receipts Tax on electric utility service would remove a charge that utilities currently pass along to customers," said Rep. Thomas Kutz (R-Cumberland). "Without this tax, ratepayers could see nearly a 6% reduction on their electric bills. Reducing these costs can help ensure families aren’t forced to choose between paying their utility bill and covering other essential needs. The policy is designed to have a direct, measurable impact on monthly expenses and offer meaningful relief to families across Pennsylvania.”
"Pennsylvania plays a major role in generating energy for residents within the Commonwealth and supplying energy for several neighboring states. If we want to continue being an energy powerhouse, we must have the generators to do it,” Rep. Andrea Verobish (R-Blair said. “We have an opportunity here to better support Pennsylvanians by producing and valuing our energy to the fullest extent."
Strengthening Grid Reliability
To ensure Pennsylvania can meet growing electricity demand while maintaining affordable and dependable power, the package also--
-- Replaces the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards with a Reliable Energy Portfolio Standard that prioritizes dependable, dispatchable generation [natural gas].
-- Protects consumer energy choice through a uniform statewide policy that preserves access to a variety of energy sources.
-- Ensures projects with valid DEP permits are not unnecessarily stalled while permit appeals are pending [allow developers to build while permits are appealed]
“Electricity demand is rising, reliable generation is retiring faster than it's being replaced, and PJM has made it clear the status quo isn't sustainable,” said Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron). “Pennsylvania has every advantage to lead, but we need policies that encourage investment, strengthen reliability and bring new generation online before we're forced to confront even greater challenges.”
“While expensive mandates for ‘alternative energy’ are being imposed, our grid has become less reliable,” Rep. Roman Kozak (R-Beaver) said. “We very clearly do not have an adequate supply of baseload energy to keep our lights on in the years ahead. This is pushing our region toward a future of brownouts, blackouts and higher energy costs. The General Assembly must make sure that our utilities procure baseload power from reliable and affordable sources, like natural gas, nuclear, and coal. These will be able to continuously power our grid and keep the lights on without forcing the utilization of intermittent sources of power.”
“The choice is ours. We can become the energy hub that powers America's next era of growth, or we can watch investment, jobs, and opportunity go elsewhere. House Republicans are choosing to lead,” said Rep. David Rowe (R-Juniata)
Click Here for the House Republican announcement.
Related Articles This Week:
-- Senate Committee Moves Bills Authorizing Individual Municipalities To Enact Moratoriums On Consideration Of A.I. Data Center Proposals-- After Voting Down A Statewide 3-Year Moratorium [PaEN]
-- House Committee Amends Senate-Passed Tax Code Bill On Data Centers, Then Adjourned To Sept. 28 [PaEN]
-- The Center Square: House Passes [3rd] Bill Putting Conditions On Qualifying For State Sales Tax Exemption For Data Centers, Including A Ban On Nondisclosure Agreements
-- PJM Extends Maximum Generation And Load Management Alerts To July 2; Forecast Power Peak On July 2 Still Above All Time Record [PaEN]
-- PJM Interconnection Issues Maximum Generation, Load Management, Low Voltage Alerts For July 1; Received Emergency Order To Put Data Centers On Backup Generators; Forecasts Peak Power Above 2006 Record For July 2 [PaEN]
-- NRDC: PJM Membership Votes On Recommendations To Help Prevent A.I. Data Centers From Overloading The Electric Grid; PJM Board Will Have Final Say [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Spotlight PA: State Lawmakers Want To Lower Electric Bills By Cutting Gross Receipts Tax, But The Budget Impact Might Be Too Big To Swallow
-- PA Capital-Star: Garrity And Shapiro Have Accused Each Other Of Flip-Flopping On A.I. Data Centers - Are They Both Right?
-- Inquirer Guest Essay: Instead Of Diving Headfirst - PA Lawmakers Must Pass A Full Moratorium On Considering Hyperscale A.I. Data Center Proposals - By Ginny Marcille-Kerrslake, Food and Water Watch In West Whiteland Twp.
-- TribLive Guest Essay: Pennsylvania Natural Gas Powers The Region, So Why Are Pennsylvanians Paying More? - By Sen. Kim Ward [Reality - Data Center Demand Spikes, 60% Of Electric Comes From Natural Gas And Its Price Spikes]
[Posted: July 1, 2026] PA Environment Digest
