The PJM Interconnection has submitted a proposal to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to revise rules governing capacity auctions, aiming to balance affordability with investment in new power generation and retaining existing resources. Recognizing accelerating shifts in the energy market, PJM initiated this review ahead of schedule to address record-high capacity prices, which have resulted in significant increases in New Jersey electricity rates. The proposed changes, endorsed by stakeholders, include updates to cost calculations for benchmark power plants and modifications to a crucial demand curve, with price caps ranging from $483/MW-day to $785/MW-day across the PJM region, with the aim of ensuring resource adequacy and grid reliability.

Power prices in the US surged on November 10, particularly in the PJM Interconnection service area, as forecasts indicated colder-than-expected temperatures stretching from Chicago to Philadelphia, leading to a significant spike in energy demand and subsequently rising prices. According to Platts data, peak power prices reached nearly $92/MWh, while off-peak prices increased over $33.75. In contrast, other regions experienced price drops due to anticipated warmer weather, including the Midcontinent Independent System Operator's (MISO) Indiana Hub, which saw a substantial decrease in day-ahead prices after wind generation rose and solar power dropped.

The PJM Interconnection region's rapid expansion of data centers poses significant concerns about grid reliability and infrastructure strain, prompting governors from Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey to propose an innovative solution: integrating data centers into the capacity market as flexible load resources, offering compensation in exchange for curtailing energy consumption during periods of grid stress.

Representatives from Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia recently came together in a historic multi-state policy hearing to address the region's escalating energy affordability and reliability challenges. The gathering, led by lawmakers from each state, highlighted shared concerns about rising electricity costs, regulatory hurdles, and potential power shortages, with experts warning that without coordinated action, the 67 million-person PJM grid could face significant resource inadequacy as early as 2030, driven in part by growing demand for technologies like artificial intelligence and data centers.

The PJM Interconnection has announced several leadership changes aimed at strengthening its executive team ahead of a transition in early 2026. Stu Bresler, currently Executive Vice President of Market Services and Strategy, will become Chief Operating Officer, overseeing operations, markets, and information technology services, among other responsibilities. Meanwhile, Aftab Khan, who leads Operations, Planning & Security, will assume the role of Chief Strategy Officer, driving cross-functional initiatives, while Adam Keech, a veteran PJM employee, will be elevated to Senior Vice President of Market Services. These changes are intended to position the organization for continued success as it navigates the rapidly evolving energy landscape and comes under new leadership with the departure of current CEO Manu Asthana at the end of 2025.

The U.S. government has issued an emergency directive to ensure consistent and cost-effective energy for approximately 65 million Americans across 13 states and Washington D.C. this winter, amid concerns of blackouts due to severe weather events. Authorized under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, the directive allows for the continued operation of specific units at the Wagner Generating Station, in collaboration with PJM Interconnection and Talen Energy Corporation, through December 31, 2025. This action comes after previous policies were deemed risky to energy stability, highlighting the ongoing nature of the energy emergency initiated by the Trump administration.

The U.S. Department of Energy has taken decisive action to ensure the electricity supply for 65 million Americans across 13 states and the District of Columbia, signing an emergency order to extend the operation of the H.A. Wagner Generating Station Unit 4 in Maryland through the end of 2025. This move addresses concerns raised by the PJM Interconnection about potential power disruptions this winter, resulting from a shortage of power resources caused by the rapid retirement of traditional power plants without sufficient replacement.

A multi-state hearing is scheduled to take place in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, focusing on the challenges facing the electrical grid serving 13 neighboring states, including Pennsylvania. The discussion will center on PJM Interconnection, a key player in the energy sector amid rapidly escalating electricity prices and growing demands from artificial intelligence data centers, with wholesale energy costs within the PJM region increasing nearly tenfold compared to the previous year. The hearing, titled "Powering the Mid-Atlantic: Restoring Energy Affordability and Reliability," aims to address state-level policies impacting energy supply and grid stability, featuring speakers representing various organizations, including consumer advocacy groups and industry associations.

A proposed natural gas power plant project in Fluvanna County, Virginia, has sparked controversy as part of PJM Interconnection's initiative to rapidly expand electricity generation across the region, addressing growing grid strain caused by data centers. The 1.5-gigawatt Tenaska Energy facility has been deemed "shovel-ready" and prioritized for connection to the grid, yet its approval process is being scrutinized due to concerns over health impacts, noise levels, and transparency from local residents and officials.

A growing coalition of lawmakers, including Maryland state Sen. Katie FryHester, is urging PJM Interconnection, which oversees power supply for 67 million people in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, to take steps to protect residents from escalating costs associated with increasing power consumption by data centers. The lawmakers are advocating for measures to ensure equitable distribution of costs and prevent ratepayers from subsidizing the expansion of these operations, emphasizing the need for careful planning and proactive strategies to manage increased power needs while safeguarding financial well-being.

New Jersey residents are facing a significant increase in electricity bills, with monthly costs projected to jump by 17-20% in 2025 and an additional 1.5-5% expected next year due to rising demand, grid connection delays, and the closure of uneconomical fossil fuel facilities. However, some media outlets, including those owned by Rupert Murdoch, are shifting blame onto New Jersey's investments in renewable energy, advocating for increased fossil fuel infrastructure and the elimination of renewable energy subsidies, despite a broader trend suggesting that policies embracing renewables can lead to lower electricity costs for consumers.

Ohio residents have faced significant increases in their electric and natural gas bills this summer, with some experiencing jumps of up to 44%, according to Consumer Energy Solutions. A closer examination reveals that rising costs are attributed to multiple factors, including increased capacity needs driven by the growing energy demands of data centers utilizing artificial intelligence, as well as transmission and distribution costs influenced by infrastructure changes across neighboring states.

The PJM Interconnection has introduced an Expedited Interconnection Track (EIT) aimed at streamlining the process for large-scale power generation projects exceeding 500 MW, providing a faster route to grid connection. The EIT requires participation from state-backed facilities that secure Capacity Interconnection Rights and demonstrate readiness for operation within three years, making it open to various energy sources including natural gas, nuclear power, renewable energy, and battery storage solutions.

A proposed 500-kilovolt transmission line, spanning 107.5 miles across Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia, is set to bring significant changes to the region's electrical infrastructure. The MidAtlantic Resiliency Link aims to address reliability challenges posed by evolving power generation sources and growing electricity demand, but its proposed route through Monongalia County in West Virginia has sparked intense debate, with local commissioners opposing the project due to concerns about its potential environmental impact, property damage, and lack of tangible local benefits.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has established a collaborative effort among fellow state governors to tackle challenges and potential solutions related to the PJM Interconnection, a critical component of the region's electricity grid management. This move comes as Illinois grapples with concerns over escalating energy prices and its ambitious Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which is being scrutinized for its role in driving up costs. The formation of this governors' group signals a proactive response to these issues, with Governor Pritzker aiming to demonstrate leadership in navigating the complexities of energy policy and the transition to renewable sources amidst growing debates between Republicans and Democrats over CEJA's impact on energy affordability and grid management.

PJM Interconnection has announced the election of two new members to its Board of Managers, Robert Ethier and Le Xie, who will serve three-year terms following a member-nominated process. Both candidates bring significant expertise in electricity markets, planning, and operations: Ethier, a seasoned executive with decades of experience at ISO New England, and Xie, an expert in integrating artificial intelligence into power systems as the Gordon McKay Professor at Harvard's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

Governor Shapiro's recent actions regarding the PJM Interconnection have raised concerns over potential damage to the region's electric grid, which serves 65 million people across 13 states and the District of Columbia. The primary function of PJM is to ensure a reliable power supply, not to advance any single political agenda, making Governor Shapiro's exertion of influence over its operations a threat to energy market stability and consumer affordability. If left unchecked, this could lead to increased power outages, rising costs, and persistent annual price hikes, ultimately affecting families in Pennsylvania who deserve affordable and dependable electricity.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is urging changes to the PJM Interconnection, the regional power grid operator, in an effort to alleviate the state's escalating energy costs. The rising demand from data centers and artificial intelligence is a significant contributor to these increasing bills, with Shapiro arguing that current pricing structures place an undue financial strain on residents and businesses. By increasing Pennsylvania's influence within PJM's operations and pricing decisions, Shapiro hopes to bring about lower energy bills for the state's citizens.

Brooke Trammell has been appointed as Vice President of Transmission Strategy and Engagement at FirstEnergy Corp., a position that will oversee the company's strategic planning, advocacy for policies, and pursuit of new transmission ventures aimed at growing its network. Trammell brings extensive experience in regulatory strategy development, policy creation, and project approvals from her previous role as Regional Vice President of Regulatory and Pricing at Xcel Energy, where she spent over a decade navigating complex regulatory situations to drive business growth and minimize investment risks.

Renewable energy projects across the US are facing significant hurdles due to delays in grid interconnection, particularly within the PJM Interconnection region, where substantial backlogs and increasingly complex project designs are hindering the expansion of solar and wind power. The struggles of high-profile projects like the Eddystone Wind project, which have experienced costly delays and uncertainty over their long-term viability, highlight the need for urgent reforms aimed at streamlining interconnection processes by 2027. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico's electricity grid is struggling with recurring crises, including frequent outages and underfunded emergency response accounts, leaving the island vulnerable during hurricane season, prompting calls for immediate action to address these critical issues.

As the electrical grid faces increasing scrutiny over stability and affordability, discussions around electricity pricing and generation economics are becoming more pressing, with the PJM Interconnection's operations serving as a key area of focus for understanding the current state of the grid. The PJM Interconnection, responsible for coordinating transmission in 13 states and the District of Columbia, embodies the complex challenges at play, highlighting the need for innovative solutions to ensure reliable power supply while maintaining public utilities' financial health and economic viability.

As electricity prices continue to rise in the PJM Interconnection grid, a major US power network serving the Mid-Atlantic region, a contentious debate has emerged between Democrats and Republicans over the cause of the surge, with both parties pointing fingers at differing explanations for the trend that is set to be a major issue in the upcoming November elections.

Maryland families are facing increasing financial strain as electricity bills continue their upward trend, largely due to state-level energy decisions that prioritize alternative energy sources at the expense of affordability and reliability. The rapid pace of this shift has raised concerns about the stability of the power grid, prompting calls for a reevaluation of Maryland's energy strategies to balance economic realities with sustainable goals.

The PJM Interconnection is launching a "Critical Issue Fast Path" initiative to establish guidelines for connecting large electricity consumers, such as data centers, to its power grid amid rising demand and potential supply shortages. This effort aims to address growing concerns about future resource availability and optimize the interconnection process, prioritizing four key areas: ensuring adequate power resources, reliability standards, interconnection protocols, and coordination with stakeholders. The fast-track proposal will be submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by year-end and will build on a prior workshop held in May, where challenges posed by growing electricity demand were discussed, particularly in PJM's 13-state region that is home to Data Center Alley, a global hub for data centers.

Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) is advising its customers to conserve energy ahead of a potential power disruption on Monday afternoon and evening, following an unexpected disconnection of a key power plant from the grid. The utility company is urging residents to take immediate action to reduce their electricity usage, with plans to provide advance notice if an outage becomes unavoidable. As the PJM Interconnection assesses the regional power supply, BGE is also offering online resources for customers to prepare for the possibility of an outage.