The rising cost of living is hitting every American, and nowhere is this more true than rising energy costs. Utility bills are relentlessly growing, in fact here in Berks County, Met Ed raised prices 8.9% on Dec. 1.
A big reason why utility rates are increasing is that many proposed renewable energy projects have been stalled all across the region by a little-known agency that manages the electric grid in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland. This entity known as PJM is hindering our state’s ability to push forward much-needed renewable energy projects.
Pennsylvania ranks 49th in the country in renewable energy growth. PJM has been slow to approve dozens of renewable energy projects that could increase energy supply and help us move away from dirty fossil fuel powered plants, cleaning up our air and protecting our health at the same time.
The Maryland PIRG Foundation reported in July that if PJM had allowed the proposed renewable energy to connect to the grid, those projects would have produced enough additional electricity for 60 million households — nearly all of the homes in the PJM territory.
We need PJM to approve more clean energy projects as soon as possible, for the sake of our wallets and our environment.
Phila Back
Kutztown