PA Environment Digest Blog: House, Senate Members Introduce Gov. Shapiro's 'Lightning' Energy Plan To Lower Energy Costs, Create Jobs, Protect Pennsylvania From Global Energy Instability

On April 24, Gov. Shapiro announced the components of the commonsense energy plan known as the 'Lightning Plan' have been introduced in the Senate and House.

Supported by a broad coalition of labor and industry leaders, environmental advocates, and consumer groups, the Governor’s plan will create jobs, lower costs for consumers, speed up permitting, and protect Pennsylvania from global instability by building more energy generation in Pennsylvania – positioning the Commonwealth to continue to be a national energy leader for decades to come.

Last month at Voith Hydro in York, one of the world’s largest hydropower manufacturing facilities, Governor Shapiro launched the legislative push for his Lightning Plan. [Read more here]

The plan includes a proposal – supported by both Republicans and Democrats – to update the Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) Tax Credit, which was established in 2022, but hasn’t been used, leaving billions in potential economic development untapped.

Governor Shapiro also highlighted key components of the plan while visiting Penn England Farms in Blair County, where a methane digester is turning farm waste into clean energy, cutting electricity costs, and generating revenue. [Read more here]

The Lightning Plan will expand access to shared digesters to help more farmers benefit.

In January, Governor Shapiro first unveiled the Lightning Plan at Pittsburgh International Airport, highlighting a $1.5 billion hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel project creating 3,000 construction jobs. [Read more here]

This week, the Governor also announced(opens in a new tab) that federal regulators have approved his new agreement with PJM Interconnection to deliver $21 billion in consumer savings over the next two years, lowering household energy bills and protecting Pennsylvania ratepayers. [Read more here]

By producing more energy, cutting red tape, and advancing innovation, Governor Shapiro’s Lightning Plan will boost key sectors of the Commonwealth’s economy, including manufacturing, robotics and technology, agriculture, and life sciences.

Independent studies confirm that the Governor’s plan will save Pennsylvanians money on their electricity bills, create energy jobs, and lead to billions in new investment in power plants and energy infrastructure.

“Pennsylvania has long been a national energy leader, from Ben Franklin to today, but right now, we’re letting other states outcompete us and we’re losing out on jobs, new investment, and innovation – that has to change,” said Governor Shapiro. “My energy plan will power Pennsylvania forward by incentivizing the building of next generation energy projects in the Commonwealth. We have to meet this moment and this plan – supported by leaders from the energy industry, organized labor and environmental groups, and consumer advocates – will lower costs for consumers, create more jobs, speed up permitting, and position the Commonwealth to continue to be a national energy leader for decades to come. The time for action is now and I look forward to working with leaders in the General Assembly to continue moving this legislation forward.”

Governor Shapiro’s energy plan will provide funding for new projects through an updated EDGE manufacturing tax credit, streamline energy project approvals by creating a state energy siting board to cut red tape, and encourage communities to lower utility bills through shared energy resources.

Additionally, the plan increases rebates for energy-efficient appliances to help reduce household energy costs.

The Lightning Plan will supercharge energy development in the Commonwealth, positioning Pennsylvania to lead the way in clean, reliable, and affordable energy for years to come.

See below for each proposal’s legislation in the House and the Senate:

-- EDGE Tax Credit: House Bill 500 and Senate Bill 500- Sponsored by Representative John Inglis with co-prime sponsors Representatives Rob Matzie and Tom Mehaffie; and Senator Nick Pisciottano with co-prime sponsor Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa

-- RESET Board: House Bill 502 and Senate Bill 502 - Sponsored by Representative Mandy Steele and Senator John Kane

-- Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Act: House Bill 503 and Senate Bill 503 - Sponsored by Representative Aerion Abney and Senator Carolyn Comitta

-- Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard: House Bill 501 and Senate Bill 501 - Sponsored by Representative Danielle Friel Otten and Senator Steve Santarsiero

-- Lowering Energy Costs for Rural Communities: House Bill 504 and Senate Bill 504 - Sponsored by Representative Peter Schweyer and Senator Judy Schwank

-- Rebates to Reduce Household Energy Costs: House Bill 505 and Senate Bill 505 - Sponsored by Representative Kyle Donahue and Senator Lisa Boscola.

Click Here for the Governor’s announcement.

Resource Link:

-- Gov. Shapiro Launches Legislative Push for 'Lightning Plan’ To Build More Energy Projects, Speed Up Permitting, Lower Costs, Create Jobs For Pennsylvanians [PaEN]

A Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - April 12 to 25: Another Abandoned Shale Gas Water Impoundment; 18 More Abandoned Conventional Wells; Exposed Gas Pipeline Crosses Stream [PaEN]

-- DEP: Abandoned Shale Gas Water Impoundment Not Used For 7 Years Cited For Not Being Restored In Clarion County [PaEN]

-- Conventional Oil & Gas Facility Owners Must Now File A Methane Emissions Compliance Report By June 1, 2025 Required By A 2022 DEP Methane Pollution Reduction Rule As A Result Of Court Settlement [PaEN]

-- DEP To Hold May 1 Virtual Update On State Response To Energy Transfer/Sunoco Twin Oaks Pipeline Leak In Bucks County [PaEN]

-- KDKA: PECO Says Damage To Natural Gas Main That Forced Closure Of I-95 In Philadelphia Appears To Be ‘Purposeful’

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - April 19 [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - April 26 [PaEN]