What This Means for You
- A $2 million federal grant will fund a statewide study of power grid upgrades.
- The study will examine retired power plant sites for potential redevelopment.
- Findings could guide future energy investments without costing state taxpayers.
HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania will conduct a statewide study to identify where power grid upgrades and redevelopment of retired power plant sites could support economic growth, after receiving a $2 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
The grant was awarded to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to fund the Pennsylvania Accelerated Transmission and Energy Redevelopment, or PATER, Study. The funding comes through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Transmission Acceleration Grant program and does not require state tax dollars.
What the Study Will Examine
The PATER Study will analyze how Pennsylvania can add new power generation and modernize its transmission system — the network of high-voltage lines that move electricity from power plants to homes and businesses.
Officials said electricity demand is rising due to industrial expansion and increased energy use. The study will evaluate where energy projects can be developed more efficiently, where new power can be brought online, and how transmission infrastructure can be upgraded or replaced to improve reliability.
A key focus will be recently retired power generation sites. These are former power plants that are no longer operating but may still have transmission connections in place. Because the infrastructure already exists, officials believe some sites could be redeveloped more quickly and at lower cost.
The study will also map existing high-voltage transmission lines statewide to determine where strategic investments would strengthen the grid.
Agencies Involved
The Public Utility Commission will partner with Team Pennsylvania, the Governor’s Office of Public Policy, the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Department of Environmental Protection’s Energy Programs Office, and the Office of Consumer Advocate.
Team Pennsylvania, a public-private partnership focused on economic development, will lead coordination of the effort and help translate findings into potential investment opportunities.
The study will use a two-phase, data-driven approach and incorporate PJM’s State Agreement Approach. PJM is the regional grid operator responsible for coordinating electricity transmission across Pennsylvania and several neighboring states. The State Agreement Approach is a process that allows states to sponsor transmission projects within PJM’s regional planning framework.
Timeline and Public Input
The first phase of the PATER Study is expected to be completed mid-year and will be released for public review and comment. A second phase, offering deeper analysis of prioritized generation sites, is anticipated by the end of 2026 and will also be open for public review.
State officials said the final report will outline recommended steps to strengthen grid reliability, identify redevelopment opportunities, and support long-term economic growth.
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