As PJM Reopens Interconnection Queue, Experts Warn Damage to Maryland’s Clean Energy Plans Is Already Done

PJM Interconnection, the regional grid operator serving 13 states and D.C., has reopened its interconnection queue after a four-year suspension, receiving 811 new generation project applications totaling 220 gigawatts. The reopening uses a "reformed" cluster study process, moving from a first-come-first-served to a first-ready-first-served model with stricter requirements. Advocates and legislators, including Maryland Del. Lorig Charkoudian (D-Montgomery County) and Maryland Ys People Ys Counsel David Lapp, express concern that the years-long delay has severely hampered states like Maryland in achieving their clean energy mandates. They point to a significant drop in renewable projects from the queue and a current dominance of natural gas in new applications, a shift partly attributed to data center demand. Critics argue PJM shows a consistent bias towards fossil fuels and that its slow study process causes financing for renewable projects to collapse. PJM spokesperson Jeffrey Shields counters that the grid operator has processed 103 gigawatts of projects since 2020, mostly renewables, and attributes project failures to external factors like permitting and financing. He also rejected claims that queue delays locked ratepayers into keeping expensive coal plants running. Experts like Tom Rutigliano of NRDC and Jon Gordon of Advanced Energy United agree that the reformed process, while an improvement, still faces challenges. They note that even with the new queue, significant power capacity from new projects may not come online until 2030-2035, and suggest parallel strategies like putting data centers on interruptible service to ease short-term costs. The effectiveness of the reforms in prioritizing ready projects remains a critical test.