Energy
Preventing Pennsylvania from Powering Down: Analysis of Governor Shapiro’s PACER and PRESS Proposals
Key Findings The Price Tag: Governor Shapiro’s Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Act (PACER) and Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) proposals would impose $157.2 billion in new electricity costs on…
Read More: Preventing Pennsylvania from Powering Down: Analysis of Governor Shapiro’s PACER and PRESS ProposalsMission Statement
The Commonwealth Foundation promotes market-driven solutions for energy policy that will benefit all Pennsylvanians. These policies must prioritize reliability, affordability, fairness, competition, and innovation, paving the way for Pennsylvania to embrace all its energy resources and unlock its full economic potential.
Energy
Let Customers, Not Regulators, Decide What Happens When an Electricity Contract Ends
A proposed FirstEnergy settlement could pull some Pennsylvanians off cheaper electricity deals. The administrative judges who reviewed it did “not find it a fault.”…
Blog
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No Kings? Then Oppose Government Overreach in Pennsylvania, Too
Originally published by The Mercury. Thousands of protesters will take to the streets on Oct. 17 under the banner of “No Kings,” warning against unchecked…
Media Hit
Read More: No Kings? Then Oppose Government Overreach in Pennsylvania, TooEnergy
West Virginia Is Suing Pennsylvania to Lower Electric Bills
Originally published by RealClear Energy. It’s not every day that out-of-state lawyers sue to protect ratepayers in your state. In September, West…
Media Hit
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New Poll: Voters Demand Affordable Energy, More Educational Options, and Lower Taxes
Affordability is top of mind for Pennsylvanians, with 58 percent of voters naming either rising prices and inflation or the economy and jobs as the single most important issue…
Press Release
Read More: New Poll: Voters Demand Affordable Energy, More Educational Options, and Lower TaxesEnergy
Assessing Gov. Shapiro’s GRID Requirements
Summary The “Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development” (GRID) Requirements apply to data centers over 25 megawatts (MW). The standards give municipalities no new authority over noise, water withdrawal, traffic, or setbacks;…
Fact Sheet
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Josh Shapiro Gets Stuff Undone
Originally published by the Washington Examiner. Gov. Josh Shapiro built his brand on GSD: getting stuff done. But these days, he seems more…
Media Hit
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Reality Check for PA’s Failed Green-Energy Mandates
Originally published by RealClear Energy. Each month, Pennsylvania’s 6 million electricity customers—all facing rising electricity bills—are charged for services of questionable value without…
Media Hit
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America Needs Pennsylvania’s Energy [PODCAST]
Pennsylvania sits atop one of the largest natural gas reserves on the planet. It exports electricity, supports high-paying energy jobs, and has the potential to expand its nuclear power capacity.
Blog
Read More: America Needs Pennsylvania’s Energy [PODCAST]Energy
Testimony of Nathan Benefield, Chief Policy Officer Commonwealth Foundation Senate Majority Policy Committee Hearing on Energy in Pennsylvania
Chairman Argall and members of the committee: Thank you for the opportunity to submit these remarks on increasing energy production in Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth Foundation promotes market-driven solutions that will…
Testimony
Read More: Testimony of Nathan Benefield, Chief Policy Officer Commonwealth Foundation Senate Majority Policy Committee Hearing on Energy in PennsylvaniaEnergy
Pennsylvania Wants Data Centers to Pay Their Own Way. There’s a Better Way to Do It.
Originally published by RealClear Energy. Lawmakers in both parties are scrambling to address the issues revealed by data centers. President Donald Trump, his administration officials, and…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania Wants Data Centers to Pay Their Own Way. There’s a Better Way to Do It.Energy
High Electric Bills Are a Choice—and Pennsylvania Must Choose Wisely
Originally published by the Daily Signal. Pennsylvania legislators have prioritized electricity affordability this year. First, they exited the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the…
Media Hit
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Pennsylvania Stopped Costly Energy Taxes. But Government Mandates are Still Driving Up Electricity Bills.
Originally published by TribLIVE. Pennsylvania families, already struggling to afford the rising cost of living, avoided even more expensive utility bills with the recently passed state budget. When Gov.
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania Stopped Costly Energy Taxes. But Government Mandates are Still Driving Up Electricity Bills.Energy
What You Need to Know About Pennsylvania’s 2026-27 State Budget Deal
Summary Pennsylvania’s 2026–27 state budget deal is an improvement over Gov. Josh Shapiro’s reckless proposal, but it still spends too much and leaves taxpayers facing an even larger long-term structural…
Backgrounder
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Commonwealth Foundation Applauds Senate Republicans for Advancing Tax Relief and Expanding Educational Opportunity
Harrisburg, Pa., June 25, 2026 — Today, the Pennsylvania Senate, in an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 44 to 6, advanced House Bill 1667, legislation that delivers meaningful tax relief to families and businesses while also expanding access to educational scholarships for thousands of students across the commonwealth. The Senate’s legislative…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Applauds Senate Republicans for Advancing Tax Relief and Expanding Educational OpportunityEnergy
Pennsylvania Should be America’s Energy Capital. So, Why are Families Paying More?
Originally published by The Pottstown-Mercury. Pennsylvania families have every right to be frustrated when they open their electric bills this summer. Our utility bills are on…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania Should be America’s Energy Capital. So, Why are Families Paying More?Energy
New Poll: Pennsylvanians Reject Shapiro’s Budget, Demand More Educational Choice, and Oppose Costly Energy Mandates
Harrisburg, Pa., June 24, 2026 — A new poll commissioned by the Commonwealth Foundation finds Pennsylvanians rejecting Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget priorities, demanding affordable energy over costly climate mandates, and supporting school choice. Pennsylvania State Budget …
Press Release
Read More: New Poll: Pennsylvanians Reject Shapiro’s Budget, Demand More Educational Choice, and Oppose Costly Energy MandatesEnergy
Hidden Green Credits Inflate PA Consumers’ Electric Bills
Originally published by The Times-Tribune. It’s no secret that electricity bills are on the rise, as cash-strapped Pennsylvanians struggle to pay their monthly utility bills. But what is a…
Media Hit
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Alternative Energy Cost Ratepayers $3.3B in Hidden Subsidies, Research Finds
Harrisburg, Pa., June 18, 2026 — At the start of this month, families and businesses across Pennsylvania saw yet another rate hike hit their electricity bills. What they didn’t see, however, is that Pennsylvania ratepayers…
Press Release
Read More: Alternative Energy Cost Ratepayers $3.3B in Hidden Subsidies, Research FindsEnergy
The Rising Cost of Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards
Summary Pennsylvania ratepayers have paid more than $3.3 billion in “green energy” mandates thanks to the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) Act. From 2020…
Fact Sheet
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Why Is Your Electricity Bill So High?
Most Pennsylvania households saw their electricity bills climb on June 1, with double-digit increases in the generation portion of their bills for Penelec, West Penn Power,…
Blog
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Everyone Wants Affordable Energy. Nobody Wants to Cut the Ribbon.
Originally published by The American Spectator. Northeastern states are scrambling to address rising energy costs. New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and others are even considering …
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