MJL Morning Briefing | | From Matt Leonard · Monday, July 20, 2026 | TOP STORY ⚡Shapiro's PJM capacity price cap saved consumers $13.3B, but auction missed reliability target Gov. Shapiro's legal action forcing a $325/MW-day cap on PJM's latest capacity auction saved consumers an estimated $13.3 billion, per PA Environment Digest, though surging data-center demand left the result 6,831 MW short of its reliability target. PA Environment Digest | Energy Industry ⚡PJM ran Maximum Generation Alerts as heat and data-center load strained the grid PJM issued Maximum Generation Alerts July 15-16 and won a DOE order letting data centers run backup generators through July 21, though real-time RTO prices had eased to about $28/MWh by Monday morning with load near 94.5 GW. PA Environment Digest PJM board approves transmission upgrades to serve data-center growth PJM's board approved a package of transmission-line and substation projects to accommodate surging data-center development across the footprint, extending a buildout that is reshaping the RTO's capacity and reliability planning. PA Environment Digest PA PUC to seek comment on UGI plastic gas-pipeline settlement The Pennsylvania PUC will open a public-comment period on a proposed settlement with UGI Utilities over alleged shortcomings in the company's plastic natural-gas pipeline construction. PA Environment Digest | National Politics House GOP faces a jammed final week before a five-week recess House Republicans will try to move a budget resolution unlocking a third reconciliation package, the FY2027 NDAA, a clean CR funding agencies through Dec. 4, and a member stock-trading ban, with the Rules Committee convening at 2 p.m. Monday. Punchbowl News U.S.-Iran fighting escalates into a ninth straight night The U.S. carried out a ninth consecutive night of strikes on Iran, and a third American service member was killed over the weekend in northern Iraq while disarming an Iranian drone, as the Pentagon shifts more warplanes and tankers to the region. NYT The Morning Senate lines up Clayton DNI vote; FISA 702 renewal slips to September The Senate Intelligence Committee votes Tuesday on Jay Clayton's nomination for director of national intelligence, but Democrats' refusal to fast-track him pushes reauthorization of FISA Section 702 into September. Punchbowl News GOP leaders move to tee up Russia sanctions bill Senate Republican leaders are working to schedule a vote on a revamped Russia sanctions bill with 62 co-sponsors, though it faces resistance from top Democrats and Trump's push to attach Iran sanctions to the package. Punchbowl News | PA & NJ Politics Pennsylvania's new budget boosts social services but punts transit funding Pennsylvania's enacted 2026-27 budget sends millions more to social-service programs and leans on $2.64 billion in temporary savings from delayed payments, but transit advocates say it again fails to create a stable statewide funding stream. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette / City & State PA Largest Pennsylvania teachers union endorses GOP Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick The largest union representing Pennsylvania teachers and school staff endorsed Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in his competitive Bucks County reelection bid, a notable cross-party nod in a top-targeted district. PoliticsPA Former Western Pa. Congressman Tim Murphy dies at 73 Tim Murphy, who represented Pennsylvania's 18th District for 15 years after serving in the state Senate, died Saturday at his Upper St. Clair home of an apparent heart attack. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette N.J. Gov. Sherrill marks six months, eyes 2028 power-broker role New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill, six months into office after a Gateway Tunnel win over the Trump administration and a passed state budget, told Politico she wants to help shape Democrats' 2028 nominee. Politico Playbook | 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 | Pittsburgh Sports Paul Skenes struck out eight over seven-plus innings and allowed one run, and Billy Cook had three hits including a triple, as the Pirates beat Cleveland 7-1 on Sunday; Esmerlyn Valdez added a two-run homer in the ninth. MLB.com The Steelers report to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe on July 28 for Mike McCarthy's first training camp, their first without Mike Tomlin in two decades, with Aaron Rodgers now flanked by new additions Michael Pittman Jr. and Rico Dowdle. Steelers.com / Steelers Depot | Market Snapshot | PJM West Hub (RT) | $28.52/MWh | | PJM AEP-Dayton (RT) | $27.72/MWh | | PJM Capacity 27/28 | $333.44/MW-day | | Henry Hub | $2.83/MMBtu +3.7% | | WTI Crude | $81.02/bbl -1.8% |
As of Jul 20, 8:08 a.m. EPT (PJM RT) | Curated by Matt Leonard. Numbers from real endpoints only. |
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