Press Release

PUC Announces Publication of Tentative Order on Model Tariff for Large-Load Customers

Published on 11/24/2025

Filed under: Electric

30-day public comment period now open through December 22, 2025

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today announced that its Tentative Order proposing a model tariff for Large-Load Customers — including data centers and other high-demand electric users — has been published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, officially starting a 30-day public comment period that runs through December 22, 2025.

The Tentative Order was adopted by the Commission on November 6, 2025, and represents the next step in the PUC’s ongoing effort to address the unprecedented growth of very large loads across Pennsylvania. The proposal outlines a statewide framework to help ensure that large energy users can connect to the grid quickly and responsibly, while also protecting existing ratepayers, preventing cost-shifts, and supporting long-term reliability.

About the Tentative Order

The Tentative Order grew out of testimony and public input gathered during the PUC’s April 2025 hearing on large-load issues. It proposes a model tariff that addresses key elements of how large loads interconnect and share costs, including:

• Defining large-load customers and aligns Pennsylvania’s approach with emerging practices across the PJM region.
  
  
• Strengthening protections for existing customers through cost-causation measures — including contributions-in-aid-of-construction, tiered collateral, and minimum contract terms.
  
  
• Encouraging large-load customers to contribute toward programs that support low-income customers.
  
  
• Encouraging faster, more transparent interconnections through clustered study timelines, optional independent studies, and limited customer-built upgrades meeting utility standards.
  
  
• Incentivizing flexibility by providing rate options for customers willing to accept interruptible or flexible service during peak system demand.
  
  
• Inviting public feedback to refine these guidelines before a final order is issued.

Taken together, these elements aim to balance economic development and grid reliability, ensuring that new large-scale users pay their fair share of the costs associated with serving them.

How to Comment

The comment period is now open and runs through December 22, 2025. Interested parties may file comments as follows:

• By mail:
  Secretary, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
  Commonwealth Keystone Building, Second Floor
  400 North Street
  Harrisburg, PA 17120
  
  
• Electronically:
  Via the PUC’s e-File System
  
  
• Courtesy copy:
  Email a Word-formatted version to pc-puc-tus-energy@pagov.onmicrosoft.com (attachments = 3MB).

Note: Reply comments are not permitted.

A copy of the full Tentative Order along with other information related to the PUC’s study of issues related to large-load customers is available in the PUC public docket for this case:
M-2025-3054271

About the PUC

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC’s website at puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Docket No.: M-2025-3054271

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov