This bill updates Pennsylvania's definitions for "alternative fuels" and "liquid fuels" under vehicle tax law. It specifically adds gasoline-ethanol blends with 51% to 85% ethanol (per industry standards) to the "alternative fuels" category and clarifies that certain fuels like diesel, kerosene, and industrial solvents are excluded from "liquid fuels" for tax purposes. These changes directly affect fuel producers, retailers, and tax authorities by defining which products are subject to fuel taxes. The bill does not alter tax rates or create new requirements - only refines existing definitions. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to allow local governments to temporarily halt the submission of new data center development applications. Under the new provision, a municipality can adopt a resolution at a public meeting to pause these submissions for up to 180 days, a period that begins retroactively from the date of public notice. During this pause, local authorities may update their zoning laws regarding data centers, and any applications received while the pause is in effect will be evaluated under the new rules. The legislation defines a data center as a facility primarily used for housing servers or data storage systems with specific backup power and cooling infrastructure.
This bill requires Pennsylvania electric distribution companies to create and implement virtual power plant programs by July 1, 2027, which allow customers with eligible energy technologies like solar panels or batteries to participate in grid services. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will review and approve these proposals within 180 days, requiring companies to set enrollment targets and include mechanisms for existing demand response programs. Participants can receive compensation for providing services such as peak load reduction, voltage support, and emergency grid services, with special provisions for low-income customers and disadvantaged communities to receive enhanced upfront payments. The program will establish operational rules for when and how often grid events can occur, including limits on event duration and advance notice requirements, while allowing customers to disenroll without penalties for nonperformance.
This bill requires electric distribution companies in Pennsylvania to create and publish online maps showing how much additional power their local grids can support. These maps must be updated every two months and include details on available capacity, existing power sources, and any grid limitations that could affect new connections. The legislation also mandates that utilities provide clear, standardized information about reliability issues and planned upgrades to help customers and businesses plan their energy needs. Additionally, the bill establishes a process for individuals to request specific grid data and ensures that utilities cannot unfairly deny access to this information.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Radiation Protection Act to update definitions and establish new fees for nuclear facilities and radioactive material transport. It clarifies the definition of independent spent fuel storage installations and requires operators of nuclear power reactor sites to pay annual fees to the Department of Environmental Resources, with specific amounts set for sites that still store spent fuel. Additionally, the legislation mandates that shippers of spent nuclear fuel and other radioactive materials pay a fee for each vehicle, railroad, or barge shipment moving through the state. The bill also introduces a cost recovery mechanism for shut-down reactors, allowing the agency to charge owners for incident response costs if all spent fuel has been moved to approved dry cask storage. These changes aim to generate revenue for radiation safety programs and emergency preparedness without altering the core regulatory authority of the state.
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 electric distribution companies to build a combined 3,000 megawatts of energy storage systems by July 2033, with specific targets for short-duration and long-duration storage. The Public Utility Commission will assign storage goals to each company based on their service area's demand and may adjust these targets if market conditions change. Companies must use open, competitive bidding processes overseen by an independent monitor to purchase this capacity through long-term contracts.
This bill allocates state and federal funding to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support its operations and regulatory activities. It provides $98.1 million from state funds and $5.383 million in federal funds specifically for salaries, administrative expenses, and the enforcement of natural gas pipeline safety regulations. The legislation ensures that federal funds received by the commission cannot be reimbursed by utility companies, while the funding takes effect on July 1, 2026, or immediately if that date arrives later.
HB 2347 rebrands Pennsylvania's Energy Development Authority as the Energy Financing Authority and updates the legal definitions of 'project' and 'cost' within the state's Administrative Code. The bill clarifies that the authority can fund specific energy initiatives, such as renewable energy projects, infrastructure resilience improvements, and research into new energy technologies, provided these efforts cannot be adequately supported by private funding. Additionally, the legislation outlines the authority's powers and duties, establishes requirements for an annual report, and sets rules regarding the authority's ability to incur debt.
This bill requires electric distribution companies in Pennsylvania to evaluate and use advanced transmission technologies when proposing new transmission lines. The law mandates that any proposed transmission project must incorporate all technically feasible and cost-effective advanced technologies to achieve at least two benefits, such as avoiding new construction, increasing system capacity, reducing congestion, or minimizing environmental impacts. Electric distribution companies must submit evidence of their evaluation to the state commission, and any additional costs for implementing these technologies can be recovered through approved tariffs. The bill defines advanced transmission technologies to include tools like dynamic line rating systems, advanced power flow controllers, and high-performance conductors that improve grid efficiency and reliability.
