Pa. election 2026: Where governor candidates Garrity and Shapiro stand on energy costs, the environment and more
Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidates Josh Shapiro and Stacy Garrity both agree on the need for more energy generation due to rising demand exacerbated by data center development. They differ on the types of energy to prioritize, with Shapiro favoring a mix including clean energy and Garrity advocating for increased natural gas production. Both also propose different methods to lower energy costs for residents and reform the state's permitting processes, impacting future energy and infrastructure projects, including data centers.
Gov. Josh Shapiro and state Treasurer Stacy Garrity, candidates for Pennsylvania governor, both recognize the critical need for increased energy generation to address a long-term supply and demand imbalance, a problem intensified by data center development across the state. They diverge significantly on their preferred energy sources and methods for lowering utility costs. Shapiro advocates for an "all-of-the-above" approach, integrating clean energy with traditional oil and gas, and has taken steps to curb utility profits and speed up permitting for economic development projects, including those for data centers. This fast-track process has drawn both praise from developers, such as Amazon for its data centers, and criticism from environmental groups concerned about expedited air and water permits.
Shapiro's "Lightning Plan" aims to boost energy production, create jobs, and reduce prices by incentivizing clean energy and requiring electric companies to purchase more renewables. He also proposed a Pennsylvania-specific carbon cap-and-trade program to replace the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, from which he orchestrated the state's withdrawal. Environmental advocates, however, have criticized some of Shapiro's actions as favorable to the fossil fuel industry, citing decisions like allowing certain coal-fired plants to operate and partnering with fracking companies for air quality monitoring.
Conversely, Garrity prioritizes dramatically increasing natural gas production, proposing an executive order to lift a ban on new drilling sites in state parks and forests, and calling for a special legislative session to fast-track permits for natural gas infrastructure. She also supports eliminating a 5.9% state tax on electricity sales to immediately lower consumer bills, offsetting the revenue loss through expanded natural gas production. While not focused on environmental protection as a primary campaign theme, Garrity has indicated she believes in climate change and its human causes, and supports limiting data center developments to brownfields and industrial sites.
Both candidates have targeted PJM, Pennsylvania’s grid operator, over rising energy auction prices. Shapiro filed a complaint with federal regulators, leading to a cap on auction prices. Garrity has pledged to intervene in utility rate hike requests. The Public Utility Commission plays a key role in rate-setting, though Shapiro has exerted significant pressure on utility companies, leading to a withdrawn rate hike request from PECO.