PECO power lines in Montco raise fears
PECO Energy Company is proposing two major power lines in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, which some, including State Sen. Katie Muth, believe are intended to support data center development despite the company's denials. The project is facing public scrutiny and calls for hearings, particularly as a data center proposal in Upper Merion Township was recently denied. The Department of Environmental Protection is currently accepting public comments on PECO's permit application.
PECO Energy Company intends to install two 230 kV electric transmission lines across Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a project that is drawing suspicion from local officials and data center monitors who believe the lines are for future data center development, despite PECO's denials. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has opened a public comment period for PECO's permit application for these lines, which will traverse townships including Upper Merion, Norristown, Bridgeport, and West Norriton.
State Sen. Katie Muth and DEP policy director David Hess have publicly voiced their concern that the power lines are intended for data centers, citing the recent denial of a hyperscale data center proposal by developer Brian O’Neill in Upper Merion Township. Senator Muth highlighted a perceived loophole in Governor Josh Shapiro's executive order, which requires local approval for data center permits, arguing that it might allow power infrastructure reviews to proceed independently. She also pointed to PECO's plans for new power lines to serve a proposed data center in Limerick Township, located within Montgomery County.
PECO officials deny these claims, stating that the $84 million Forge Springs Substation project is designed to enhance the local electric grid's resilience and reliability, especially after Hurricane Ida damaged a substation in 2021. The company expects to complete the project by 2029 and assures that the transmission lines are not associated with data centers or any specific large-load customers.
Amidst a broader debate over the impact of AI data centers on Pennsylvania's electric grid and utility costs, Governor Shapiro's executive order mandates that data center projects must secure all local government approvals before state permits are issued. Additionally, Norristown Borough has adopted an ordinance requiring data center developers to fund necessary public utility infrastructure upgrades. Senator Muth advocates for local approval for utility infrastructure linked to data centers before state permitting and has requested a public hearing for the Montgomery County power lines project. The public can submit comments on the permit request until September 21.