Your Turn: Clean Energy Must Be Part of PA's Future

A Call for Balanced Energy Solutions in Pennsylvania

A recent summit focused on artificial intelligence and energy, held in Pittsburgh, was hosted by U.S. Senator Dave McCormick and featured former President Donald Trump. The event highlighted ambitious plans for Pennsylvania’s energy future, with $70 billion in investments announced. These commitments could bring significant benefits to workers and the local economy if they are realized. However, the summit's approach was criticized for being one-sided, emphasizing fossil fuel interests while overlooking the critical role of clean energy companies in the state.

The focus on natural gas failed to address the broader energy challenges facing Pennsylvania in the coming decades. With the rise of AI data centers driving massive energy demands and extreme weather events placing stress on the power grid, a comprehensive strategy that includes all energy sources is essential. While Senator McCormick has expressed confidence in Pennsylvania’s potential as a hub for American energy dominance, the exclusion of homegrown clean energy solutions like solar, wind, and battery storage misses an opportunity to leverage existing job growth and cost savings.

Clean energy investments have proven beneficial for both rural and urban areas, helping to lower costs for everything from farm equipment to public transportation while also reducing pollution. Unfortunately, recent changes to federal policy have undermined these gains. The Republican tax bill signed by President Trump eliminated key clean energy incentives that had previously supported job creation and reduced energy costs for Pennsylvanians.

According to projections, Pennsylvania could lose 26,400 jobs by 2030 and 29,000 jobs by 2035 due to these policy shifts. The state’s GDP is expected to decline by $3.44 billion in 2030 and $5.79 billion in 2035. Many clean energy business leaders consider tax credits essential for growth, with over half expecting revenue losses as a result of these cuts.

The benefits of clean energy extend beyond businesses to consumers. In 2023, more than 158,000 Pennsylvania families received over $267 million in tax credits, which helped reduce costs for clean energy upgrades such as rooftop solar panels. With these credits now gone, households are expected to face an average increase of $170 in annual energy costs by 2030. This comes at a time when utility prices are already rising, with electricity bills increasing in March and again in June this year.

While the Trump administration and Republicans claim to be concerned about rising costs, their policies have had the opposite effect. The administration laid off the entire staff of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provided critical support to low-income households. In fiscal year 2023, Pennsylvania received over $334 million in LIHEAP funding, helping over 312,000 households manage their energy bills.

As AI development and extreme heat drive up energy demand, programs like LIHEAP are becoming even more vital. Clean energy solutions can help meet this growing need, with solar and wind power now 50% cheaper than electricity from fossil fuels. Pennsylvania currently hosts 88 data centers and is among the top three emerging markets for these facilities. A report by Monitoring Analytics identified data center demand as the primary reason behind an 800% price increase in a recent capacity auction by the grid operator PJM. This auction is expected to lead to energy bill increases of up to 20% for customers in several states.

The impact of extreme weather is already being felt. High temperatures in June 2025 caused blackouts affecting tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians, including outages in central Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia region, and Pittsburgh and Erie. These events highlight the urgent need for more diverse and resilient energy sources.

To meet the growing demand from data centers and extreme weather, Pennsylvania must invest in a range of energy solutions. Clean energy has already created jobs and helped reduce consumer utility bills. With federal clean energy tax credits now repealed, it is crucial for state officials and private companies to step up and prioritize clean energy investments. This means putting consumers first and ensuring that Pennsylvania remains a leader in energy innovation and sustainability.