Pennsylvania State Senator Gene Yaw, Ohio State Senator Brian Chavez, and Ohio Representative Adam Holmes met with PJM Interconnection officials last month in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The meeting focused on regional energy planning, electricity market coordination, and grid reliability. All three legislators chair their respective state legislative committees on energy policy.
Other participants included Pennsylvania Senator Dave Argall, chairman of the Majority Policy Committee; Senator Carolyn Comitta, minority chairwoman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee; Senator Scott Hutchinson; Steve DeFrank, chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC); Jennifer French, chairwoman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO); and Dennis Peters, PUCO commissioner.
The group discussed future electric grid challenges, long-term demand forecasts, and the need for interstate cooperation to address rising electricity use. PJM leadership gave a presentation followed by a roundtable discussion and facility tour.
“States like Ohio and Pennsylvania play a vital role in ensuring reliable and affordable electricity for millions of residents across the PJM footprint,” said Yaw. “This meeting was an important opportunity to understand the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
Chavez added: “Legislators, regulators and grid managers need to engage in pragmatic conversations to ensure the continued success of our shared electric grid. We look forward to a collaborative partnership between our states.”
Holmes noted: “Ohio and Pennsylvania have been closely aligned for over 200 years, and we will face these challenges as we always have, with the same unity of effort.”
PJM’s 2025 Long-Term Load Forecast expects increased electricity demand due to data center growth, building electrification, electric vehicles, and manufacturing expansion. Officials reviewed capacity market pricing trends that show an increase from $29 per megawatt-day in 2024/2025 to $269.92 per megawatt-day in 2025/2026.
Participants examined reforms intended to speed up interconnection projects through PJM’s Reliability Resource Initiative (RRI). They also discussed state-level approaches for affordability and reliability—such as cost allocation methods for retail customers, demand response programs, and permitting processes needed for new infrastructure.
Ohio’s recent House Bill 15 aims to promote development of electric generation facilities and related infrastructure like natural gas pipelines. Pennsylvania lawmakers expressed interest in similar legislation. Legislation sponsored by Yaw to improve electric load forecasting became law as part of the 2025-26 state budget along with his bill repealing the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) electricity tax.
“Our states share a common grid and common goals,” Yaw said. “This meeting reinforced the importance of proactive planning and transparent communication between states and PJM. Our constituents depend on us to make informed decisions that support economic growth and energy security.”
Yaw represents communities across several counties including Lycoming and Tioga as part of Pennsylvania’s 23rd Senatorial District. He leads efforts on environmental matters while supporting housing initiatives. More about his community involvement can be found on his official website.
Yaw has also contributed through coaching Little League Baseball and youth soccer [source]. He has served as general counsel for over two decades at Pennsylvania College of Technology [source], chaired its board since 2013 [source], represented Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga, and Union counties [source], operated as Lycoming County solicitor for 17 years [source], received recognition as Lycoming County Solicitor of the Year in 2004 [source], chaired Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee [source], maintained offices in Williamsport/Wellsboro/Harrisburg [source], assumed office after being elected in November 2008 [source].
For more information or updates from Senator Yaw visit www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or follow him on Facebook/X @SenatorGeneYaw.
