The PA Chamber is urging lawmakers to take a balanced, “all-of-the-above” approach to energy policy, while fully leveraging the use of Pennsylvania’s reliable thermal baseload sources, to keep power reliable and affordable across the Commonwealth.

In written testimony submitted to the House Republican Policy Committee, PA Chamber Director of Government Affairs Amy Brinton said Pennsylvania’s energy sector “supports thousands of jobs, contributes billions to our economy, and provides affordable energy to residents and businesses throughout the Commonwealth.”

Brinton said Pennsylvania has become a national energy leader — “the top electricity exporter and top supplier of natural gas, coal, and refined petroleum products.” She noted that as the state’s energy mix has shifted from coal to natural gas, power sector carbon emissions have dropped 46 percent between 2005 and 2020.

Still, she echoed concerns raised by the state’s grid operator, PJM, that reliability is at risk. “Accelerated retirements of thermal generation resources, which have long served as the backbone of our grid, are outpacing integration of new generation capacity,” Brinton said. “The mismatch in timing between the retirement of resources and the integration of new energy sources poses a significant risk to the reliability and affordability of energy in Pennsylvania.”

Brinton pointed to growing demand from artificial intelligence, data centers, and broader electrification across industries as another reason to act now. She called for policies that protect baseload power while encouraging innovation.

She also pushed for continued permitting reform, praising the bipartisan Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development (SPEED) Act and Senate Bill 6 as “a proactive, comprehensive approach” to cutting delays and improving accountability.

“By improving communication, ensuring accountability, and reducing permitting delays, we can build a regulatory environment that fosters business growth, innovation, and long-term competitiveness,” she said.

Brinton closed by emphasizing the need for bipartisan collaboration between lawmakers and stakeholders alike. “Pennsylvania stands at a critical crossroads,” she said. “By embracing an energy policy that combines innovation, reliability, and economic growth, we can ensure a prosperous energy and economic future for all Pennsylvanians.”