Electricity grid maps could speed addition of renewable energy sources in Pa., panel hears

The Pennsylvania House Energy Committee held a hearing on House Bill 2429, a proposal that would mandate electric distribution companies to publish detailed hosting capacity maps of their systems and annual reliability reports. The bill, introduced by Rep. Melissa Cerrato (D-Montgomery), aims to streamline the process for connecting new renewable energy projects like solar and wind to the grid, which currently can take years. Committee Chairwoman Elizabeth Fiedler (D-Philadelphia) emphasized the growing demand for power and skyrocketing electricity bills, stating that improved access to grid information would help developers quickly assess sites and make the building process more efficient. Sharon Pillar, executive director of the Pennsylvania Solar Center, supported the bill, noting the importance of solar energy during peak demand. However, energy industry representatives and some lawmakers, including Rep. Martin Causer (R-McKean) and Rep. Craig Williams (R-Delaware), expressed concerns. Danielle Jouenne, vice president and general counsel of the Energy Association of Pennsylvania, warned that publishing detailed infrastructure information could pose security risks and that the costs of implementing the maps, estimated at half a million dollars per service territory, would be passed on to consumers through higher rates. The Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (PUC) would be responsible for enforcing the mandate.