Energy

This bill requires electric utilities in Pennsylvania to include specific information about their energy storage plans in their annual reports to the state commission. Specifically, the law mandates that these companies provide an assessment of how they use energy storage, including data on how quickly they can charge and discharge power under different economic conditions. The definitions clarify that energy storage refers to equipment that absorbs, holds, and releases electricity, while charge and discharge times measure the duration of these processes. This requirement is designed to give regulators better insight into how utilities plan to manage future electricity demand using storage technology. The changes will take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

This bill creates a tax credit program in Pennsylvania to encourage the production of sustainable aviation fuel. To qualify, companies must invest at least $150 million in a local facility, create at least 400 permanent jobs, and pay workers prevailing wages. The credit provides up to $1 per gallon for fuel production, with an extra 25 cents per gallon for using local feedstocks or achieving significant greenhouse gas reductions. Eligible producers must also meet specific state tax compliance requirements and sign a commitment letter with state officials.

SB 1384 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to update definitions for tax benefits and introduce new rules for computer data centers. The bill explicitly prohibits the Department of Revenue from certifying any new computer data centers after its effective date. It also establishes a new certification program for the Governor's Responsible Infrastructure Development, which sets standards for clean firm energy, including specific requirements for solar, wind, and battery storage systems. Additionally, the legislation defines terms related to alternative compliance payments and clean hydrogen production to support these infrastructure standards.

This bill allows local governments in Pennsylvania to automatically permit battery storage systems as accessory uses on land already approved for commercial solar projects. Under the new rules, these storage units must be located within the same property boundaries and have a capacity that does not exceed the solar facility's generating capacity. Once approved, the storage systems do not require additional special permits or land use approvals, though they must still follow all existing safety and fire codes. The legislation also clarifies that adding battery storage does not change any financial terms or tax exemptions associated with the original solar facility.

This bill updates Pennsylvania laws to create new funding accounts and establish taxes on aviation fuels, including traditional jet fuel and emerging alternatives like hydrogen and electricity. It directs specific annual amounts from the Multimodal Fund to the Aviation Restricted Account and sets escalating budget caps for department activities related to aviation programs. The legislation also defines key terms such as alternative aviation fuel and grants the Department of Transportation authority to adopt zoning regulations for airports while addressing issues like abandoned aircraft. Additionally, the bill imposes new taxes on aviation fuels, outlines how distributors must report these taxes, and specifies how the collected revenue will be used and refunded.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to establish a formal process for reviewing connections between renewable energy systems and the electric grid. It requires electric distribution companies to determine at a scoping meeting whether a feasibility, impact, or facilities study is needed and mandates that these studies be completed within 90 days. Upon finishing the study, the utility must agree to perform any necessary grid upgrades, providing a timeline and cost estimates that are subject to commission approval. If the utility fails to complete these upgrades on time or within the estimated budget, the customer can use a dispute resolution process, and the commission may enforce penalties against the utility.

This bill requires Pennsylvania's Public Utility Commission to create a centralized online database tracking all utility rates and rate increase requests. The database must be searchable by company, entity, utility type, year, or docket number and will store information for at least the previous 20 years. The commission must update the database within 10 days of receiving a new rate increase request and may hire a third party to manage the system. This change directly affects utility customers by making historical pricing data more accessible and transparent.

This bill requires oil and gas well operators in Pennsylvania to obtain a specific drilling permit before drilling wells that target the Utica shale formation or reach depths of 3,800 feet or more. The permit application process will follow existing state regulations for resource development, adding a new layer of administrative review for these specific deep-drilling projects. Directly affecting energy companies and land operators, the law mandates compliance with these permitting rules before any drilling begins in the designated geological horizons. The legislation takes effect 60 days after it is signed into law.

This resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on waste heat recovery, a process that captures excess heat from data centers to reduce energy and water usage. The study will map existing infrastructure, identify implementation barriers, and evaluate economic and environmental impacts while reviewing successful policies from other regions. To guide the research, the commission must form an advisory committee representing diverse stakeholders, including data center operators, utilities, local governments, and the public. The commission is required to hold public hearings and submit a final report to the House of Representatives within one year of the resolution's adoption.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to restrict where large data centers can be built. It specifically prohibits municipalities from allowing hyperscale data centers, which cover more than five acres, in areas designated for agriculture unless they are allowed in every district within that community. Additionally, the law bans data centers on agricultural land if at least half of the property consists of prime agricultural soil or land rated as fourth class by the USDA. Local governments will need to update their zoning ordinances to comply with these new definitions and restrictions on data center development.