CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — High energy costs continue to be a talking point in Harrisburg, but legislators are split on how to fix the problem.
Pa., among other states, was under an emergency energy order for much of this week to “mitigate blackout risks” in the eastern United States, according to the Department of Energy. PJM manages the power grid for dozens of states, including Pa.
Rep. Rich Irvin (R-81), representing part of Huntingdon County, points to data center development as a strain on the grid — no matter where they are built in the 13 states PJM represents.
“With the data centers that are being built within the whole PJM area, it’s definitely going to hurt what we need as far as energy needs within Pennsylvania,” Irvin said.
Rep. Scott Conklin (D-77), representing part of Centre County, says outdated infrastructure weakens the grid.
“We need to put money into it. We need to upgrade it. Those upgrades have been needed for decades, and they’re needed now more than ever,” Conklin said.
Pa. House Republicans introduced an energy package in 2026 that they say will “cement” the Commonwealth as an energy leader. The 11 bills in the package include establishing a one-year timeline for environmental permit appeals, reducing the tax burden on electric utility services, and investing more in other energy resources.
Conklin says “many” of the bills are “good bills.” However, he says both sides will need to compromise to have any chance of pushing the package to the governor’s desk.
“Some of the bills, to be quite honest with you, may be more than what we’re able to do. But at the same time, I think there’s a compromise there somewhere,” Conklin said.
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Irvin agrees compromise could help with upgrading infrastructure.
“I think that there needs to be some compromise done on, maybe looking at, revamping some of the existing rights-of-way of power lines power companies do have,” he said.
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