Pa. governor’s race could shape future household energy costs
An analysis says Pennsylvania households and businesses could save significantly if the state expands clean energy and requires data centers to pay their own electricity-related costs. The governor’s race may influence energy policy, with Gov. Josh Shapiro pursuing ratepayer protections and candidate Stacy Garrity proposing a temporary pause on new data center development.
A Greenline Insights analysis commissioned by Evergreen Action and Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania found that expanding clean energy and requiring data centers to cover the costs they impose on the power system could save the average Pennsylvania household more than $1,800. The study also estimated $12.5 billion in avoided electricity costs for Pennsylvania businesses between 2027 and 2040 as data center demand increases pressure on the PJM grid.
Gov. Josh Shapiro has issued an executive order directing the state to seek protections against shifting data center costs to other utility customers. Republican gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity supports a temporary pause on all new data center development to allow further assessment and encourage construction on brownfields rather than residential sites, while favoring additional fossil-fuel investment to meet energy demand.