CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) \u2014 High energy costs continue to be a talking point in Harrisburg, but legislators are split on how to fix the problem.<\/p>\n
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.<\/a> PJM manages the power grid for dozens of states, including Pa.<\/p>\n Rep. Rich Irvin (R-81), representing part of Huntingdon County, points to data center development as a strain on the grid \u2014 no matter where they are built in the 13 states PJM represents.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n Rep. Scott Conklin (D-77), representing part of Centre County, says outdated infrastructure weakens the grid.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n Pa. House Republicans introduced an energy package in 2026<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters<\/a>.<\/p>\n Irvin agrees compromise could help with upgrading infrastructure.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n