The Pennsylvania Senate has passed a bill aimed at addressing the state’s electric generation shortfall and promoting energy development. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), seeks to streamline the process for developing natural gas electric generation projects.
Senate Bill 704 requires the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to collaborate in identifying suitable sites for these projects. According to Yaw, this approach is intended to resolve electricity shortages within the PJM grid while attracting investment through faster site preparation.
“This bill is about getting projects from concept to construction faster,” Yaw said. “By improving coordination between DCED and DEP, we can attract major energy investment, create family-sustaining jobs and help ensure Pennsylvania remains a national energy leader.”
Yaw has been active in efforts related to responsible energy development and ensuring the reliability of the PJM electric grid. Last year, he met with legislators from Pennsylvania and Ohio as well as leadership from PJM Interconnection to discuss changes in the electricity market.
In addition to Senate Bill 704, Yaw has introduced several other measures focused on grid reliability. These include proposals to overhaul the EDGE Program, establish an Independent Energy Office in Pennsylvania, protect the power grid from intentional damage, and give state authorities control over decisions regarding energy restrictions.
The bill will now be considered by the House of Representatives.
Senator Gene Yaw represents communities in Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga, and Union counties and chairs the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee (official website). He has also provided legal counsel for more than two decades to the Pennsylvania College of Technology and served as its board chair since 2013 (official website). In addition to his legislative work, Yaw has contributed to community activities by coaching Little League Baseball and youth soccer (official website).
For more information on state-related news or updates on this legislation, constituents are encouraged to visit www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or follow Senator Yaw on Facebook and X @SenatorGeneYaw.
