A broad coalition of labor organizations, community leaders, business groups, trade associations, small businesses and community advocates today announced the formation of Powering PA Forward.

Speaking in one voice, Powering PA Forward will advocate for smart, long-term energy policies that ensure Pennsylvania families and businesses have access to reliable and affordable energy, and that those who deliver it can continue to invest in the infrastructure and jobs that power the commonwealth’s economy.

Powering PA Forward’s creation comes at a critical time as PJM, the regional grid operator, and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation both agree that Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic region face a growing gap between energy supply and demand. The commonwealth is seeing new economic activity, including advanced manufacturing, electrification and proposed data center development, which is placing increasing demands on the grid. To meet this growth, Pennsylvania needs new generation capacity, but without policy action, families and businesses will see higher energy costs, strained reliability and a competitive disadvantage that will cost jobs.

“It’s time to tell the story of the tremendous benefits utilities provide to communities all across this commonwealth,” said Jon O’Brien, executive director of the Keystone Contractors Association.

“Utilities are putting people to work, constantly upgrading their equipment and heavily contributing to our tax base. Powering PA Forward looks forward to telling this economic development success story, while at the same time calling for critical improvements to Pennsylvania’s energy policies that put families and small businesses first.”

In a letter to announce the coalition’s formation, Powering PA Forward members wrote: “Just this past December, PJM, the regional entity responsible for ensuring that there is enough supply to meet demand, held a competitive auction that failed to secure enough power to meet its current reliability target for the first time. Without sufficient supply, electric utilities, which are obligated to meet customer energy demands, will be unable to fulfill their legal obligations. This will result in reduced reliability of electric service and lost economic opportunities. If the generation shortfall goes unaddressed, costs will continue to rise, and Pennsylvanians could face the prospect of rolling blackouts or brownouts as energy becomes a scarce commodity. For nearly 9 million families and businesses that depend on reliable, affordable energy, the consequences would be severe.”

Pennsylvania’s regulated utilities are a critical part of the solution. Overseen by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, these utilities are accountable to both regulatory agencies and the communities they serve. They deliver energy to nearly 9 million Pennsylvania residents and businesses, reinvesting over $3 billion annually into infrastructure upgrades, electric lines, pipelines and grid modernization that support nearly 15,000 jobs for Pennsylvania. That investment is only possible when sound energy policy provides a stable foundation.

“Utilities then invest $3 billion annually from their regulated profits into infrastructure projects that put Pennsylvanians to work,” said Matt Espenshade, president of the Pennsylvania State Grange. “Powering PA Forward wants to protect these investments and the jobs they create, and work to find a long-term solution to address our energy needs. That’s a strategy that will benefit our agriculture industry and all Pennsylvanians.”

In only a short time, the following organizations have signed on to be Powering PA Forward members: Adams County Economic Alliance; America’s Rural Energy Coalition; Builders Guild of Western PA; Butler County Chamber of Commerce; Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce; Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry; Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce; Delaware County Chamber of Commerce; Electrical Association of Philadelphia; Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership; Focus Central PA; Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce; Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC; Juniata River Valley Chamber; Keystone Contractors Association; Lancaster Chamber of Commerce; Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce; Manufacturer & Business Association; NAIOP Pittsburgh; NFIB-PA Chapter; Northeast PA Manufacturers & Employers Association; PA Association of Milk Dealers; PA Builders Association; Pennsylvania State Grange; Penn’s Northeast; Penn-Northwest Development Corporation; PennAg Industries Association; Pittsburgh Works Together; Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce; Upper Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce; West Shore Chamber of Commerce; and Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.