SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Republican governors in Virginia and Tennessee have joined a coalition of Democrats, including New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, in urging major changes at PJM Interconnection.
Governors from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and nine other states wrote a letter on Thursday asking for PJM regulators to enact fundamental changes and appoint new leadership to restore confidence, as two board members and the CEO are resigning.
“With billions of ratepayer dollars and the stability of our grid at stake, it is critical that PJM take concerted, effective action to restore state and stakeholder confidence,” the letter writes.
PJM manages the power grid in more than a dozen states across the eastern and midwestern United States. Shapiro and Murphy said the company must do more to give states a voice in how to meet increasing energy demands.
For Democrats in Trenton, this has been a long time coming. Assemblywoman Heather Simmons said PJM hasn’t held up its end of the deal by being slow to approve solar energy projects, among other things.
“They haven’t been responsive to the needs of the ratepayers, particularly in New Jersey. We’re watching families and businesses really struggle with costs that are soaring out of control,” she said.
State leaders are expected to meet with the Valley Forge-based PJM next week to discuss candidates to fill those leadership roles.