MJL Morning Briefing | | From Matt Leonard · Monday, August 17, 2026 | TOP STORY DEP invited comments on Invitium Energy LLC's proposed use of emission credits for the Shermans Dale natural gas power plant in Carroll Twp., Perry County, a PPL-Blackstone joint venture to feed data centers. PA Environment Digest | Energy Industry DEP opened a comment period on the stormwater permit for PPL Electric's Stanton Summit transmission line rebuild, which runs through Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. PA Environment Digest DEP issued a Chapter 102 permit for the Northeast Natural Gas Supply Enhancement Project's Quarryville Loop and Compressor Station 200 in Chester and Lancaster counties. PA Environment Digest | National Politics U.S. and Iran miss deadline for a deal under the June cease-fire The United States and Iran missed their deadline to reach a deal under the terms of the June cease-fire, with Iran still resistant to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and talks at a stalemate. NYT The Morning / Politico Playbook Trump orders Pentagon to scale back South Korea joint exercises Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with South Korea, announced hours before the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield drills were set to begin. Punchbowl News AM Scalise puts permitting reform first on a 2027 House GOP agenda Asked what Republicans would do if they hold the House, Majority Leader Steve Scalise named permitting reform first, telling Punchbowl News "there's a great permitting bill stuck over in the Senate." Punchbowl News AM House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told NBC's "Meet the Press" he expects at least 220 members in the House Democratic Caucus next Congress; Scalise has projected a six-seat Republican majority. Punchbowl News AM | Pittsburgh Sports Bryan Reynolds, Brandon Lowe and Nick Yorke each drove in two runs as the Pirates beat Boston 8-3 on Sunday after a 2 1/2-hour rain delay; Lake Bachar opened for Pittsburgh. ESPN Safety DeShon Elliott took his first extended action of the summer at Sunday's padded practice, and linebacker Elandon Roberts rejoined the Steelers after playing 2025 with the Raiders. Steelers.com | On the Floor — Next Session House · Bill On Concurrence (keywords: data center, data centers) PA General Assembly Senate · Third Consideration (keywords: data center, data centers) PA General Assembly | Market Snapshot | PJM West Hub (RT) | $66.16/MWh | | PJM AEP-Dayton (RT) | $64.50/MWh | | PJM Capacity 28/29 | $325.00/MW-day | | Henry Hub | $2.79/MMBtu | | WTI Crude | $82.34/bbl -0.1% |
As of Aug 17, 8:06 a.m. EPT (PJM RT) | Curated by Matt Leonard. Numbers from real endpoints only. |
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