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.
Education
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?Education
New Poll: Pennsylvanians Reject Shapiro’s Budget, Demand More Educational Choice, and Oppose Costly Energy Mandates
Harrisburg, Pa., June 24, 2025 — 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
Read More: Hidden Green Credits Inflate PA Consumers’ Electric BillsEnergy
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
Read More: The Rising Cost of Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio StandardsEnergy
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
Read More: Why Is Your Electricity Bill So High?Energy
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 …
Media Hit
Read More: Everyone Wants Affordable Energy. Nobody Wants to Cut the Ribbon.Energy
PA Data Centers—No Roadblocks, No Special Favors
Companies have announced $90 billion in planned data center investment in Pennsylvania. That’s not a small number. It means jobs, better infrastructure, more energy development, and a bigger tax base…
Blog
Read More: PA Data Centers—No Roadblocks, No Special FavorsEnergy
Unleash Competition to Meet the Commonwealth’s Urgent Energy Needs
Originally published by RealClearEnergy. Pennsylvania has always been an energy powerhouse. Its robust mix of coal, natural gas, nuclear power, and renewable resources powers its homes, industries, and businesses. But if Pennsylvania wants to grow, lawmakers need to remember…
Media Hit
Read More: Unleash Competition to Meet the Commonwealth’s Urgent Energy NeedsEnergy
RGGI Will Cost Virginia Billions—Just Like It Cost Pennsylvania
Originally published by Daily Signal. Gov. Abigail Spanberger has consistently sided with the climate-policy wing of her party even when its proposals threaten higher energy costs for consumers. One…
Media Hit
Read More: RGGI Will Cost Virginia Billions—Just Like It Cost PennsylvaniaEnergy
Shapiro Wants Energy Affordability—Here’s One Simple Way to Prove It
Originally published by Times Leader. Gov. Josh Shapiro often talks about “energy affordability.” It’s a phrase that shows up in his stump speeches and his attacks…
Media Hit
Read More: Shapiro Wants Energy Affordability—Here’s One Simple Way to Prove ItEnergy
Government Policies, Not Power Companies, Drive Rising Electricity Costs
Originally published by TribLIVE. Gov. Josh Shapiro is trying to deflect blame for high energy prices, blaming “corporate greed” and pointing fingers at everyone but the true…
Media Hit
Read More: Government Policies, Not Power Companies, Drive Rising Electricity CostsEnergy
Shapiro’s New Energy “Watchdog” Is a Fox Guarding the Henhouse
Gov. Josh Shapiro claims he wants to make energy more affordable for Pennsylvanians. So, why did he just hire a climate activist who has dedicated his career to advancing the…
Blog
Read More: Shapiro’s New Energy “Watchdog” Is a Fox Guarding the HenhouseEnergy
From the Strait of Hormuz to Pennsylvania [PODCAST]
What does a shipping lane halfway around the world have to do with your energy bill? Andrew Lewis and Victoria Coates of the Heritage Foundation connect global unrest to local…
Blog
Read More: From the Strait of Hormuz to Pennsylvania [PODCAST]Energy
The Governor Who Cried Emissions
Gov. Josh Shapiro claims to be an “all-of-the-above” energy governor, so long as “all-of-the-above” includes energy taxes, energy taxes, and—you guessed it—energy taxes. Since taking office, Shapiro has relentlessly pushed…
Blog
Read More: The Governor Who Cried EmissionsEnergy
Pennsylvania Lost $5 Billion in Energy Investment and Power Supply Under RGGI
Harrisburg, Pa., May 4, 2026 — Last fall, Pennsylvania lawmakers removed the Keystone State from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) after six years of legal battles. According to new…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Lost $5 Billion in Energy Investment and Power Supply Under RGGIEducation
[MEDIA] Andrew Lewis Addresses Pennsylvania Press Club
Andrew Lewis, President & CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, addressed the Pennsylvania Press Club on Monday afternoon. In his speech, Lewis outlined the path forward to make Pennsylvania the leading…
Media Hit
Read More: [MEDIA] Andrew Lewis Addresses Pennsylvania Press ClubEnergy
Why PJM’s Price Cap Costs Pennsylvanians
Pennsylvania’s electricity prices have increased 46 percent since 2018, and the grid that delivers that power is under unprecedented strain. The policies…
Blog
Read More: Why PJM’s Price Cap Costs PennsylvaniansEnergy
Pennsylvania is an Energy Giant That Keeps Tripping Over Its Own Red Tape
Originally published by PennLive. Pennsylvania has an energy problem—and it has nothing to do with what’s in the ground. The commonwealth is an energy…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania is an Energy Giant That Keeps Tripping Over Its Own Red TapeEnergy
Pennsylvanians Need Energy Affordability, Not Governor Shapiro’s Legal Antics
Originally published by Delco Times. When Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Pennsylvania would join a multistate lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency, he no doubt expected applause.
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvanians Need Energy Affordability, Not Governor Shapiro’s Legal Antics