Press Release

Reminder: PUC Hearing to Examine Data Center Surge and Impact on Pennsylvania’s Power Grid

Published on 4/21/2025

Filed under: Electric Gas

April 24 Hearing Explores Smart Planning to Safeguard Reliability and Consumers While Embracing Innovation and Emerging Technologies

HARRISBURG – As Pennsylvania faces a dramatic surge in energy demand driven by the growth of hyperscale data centers and other large-load customers, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today issued a reminder about its upcoming public hearing on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

“This is a fundamental turning point in our energy landscape,” said PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank. “Across Pennsylvania, we are seeing unprecedented demand from data centers and other high-load users — and that growth is happening faster than any of our traditional planning models anticipated. This hearing is a critical moment for the Commission to explore smart solutions that will maintain reliability while seizing this economic opportunity. ”

The hearing will begin at 1:00 PM in Hearing Room 1 of the Commonwealth Keystone Building, located at 400 North Street, Harrisburg, PA. It is open to the public, though seating is limited. The hearing will also be livestreamed on the PUC’s website.

The hearing features a series of expert panels representing the perspectives of large load customers (including data centers and industrial users), electric distribution companies, and consumer and public interest advocates.

The April 24 hearing is part of a broader Commission effort to assess how the state can responsibly manage high-demand growth, ensure cost-sharing for necessary infrastructure, and maintain grid reliability — all while preserving affordability and equitable treatment for existing utility customers.

Interested parties are encouraged to:

• Review the hearing agenda and list of panelists, available online;
• Read pre-submitted testimony from panel participants;
• Attend in person or watch live online; and
• Submit written comments to help guide the Commission’s next steps.
  
  

Post-Hearing Comments Welcome

The Commission will accept written comments for 30 days following the hearing, with a 15-day reply comment period. Instructions for submitting comments will be posted to the hearing webpage after the session.

All hearing-related materials are available on the data center hearing page of the PUC website.

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 (formerly Twitter), 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