MJL Morning Briefing | | From Matt Leonard · Thursday, July 2, 2026 | TOP STORY New Jersey lawmakers passed a bill June 30 directing the Board of Public Utilities to set tariff standards for data centers of at least 50 MW to shield other ratepayers from large-load grid-connection costs, sending it to Gov. Mikie Sherrill after predecessor Phil Murphy pocket-vetoed a similar measure. Utility Dive | Energy Industry ⚡Guthrie backs Ratepayer Protection Act to make data centers fund grid upgrades House Energy & Commerce Chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) is backing the Ratepayer Protection Act, which would make companies fund the grid and generation upgrades their data centers require and direct states to set their own policies; a GOP procedural revolt Tuesday disrupted the planned committee markup. Punchbowl News | PA & NJ Politics Pennsylvania budget late for fifth straight year as Senate recesses Pennsylvania's budget is late for the fifth consecutive year after Senate Republicans sent members home on the June 30 deadline without a deal, citing 'necessary clarity' on outstanding issues and projecting an agreement 'in the days following July 4.' Spotlight PA PA House moves to close Sunshine Act loophole amid data-center push The Pennsylvania House voted to close a Sunshine Act open-meetings loophole exposed by a recent court ruling, a move framed around data-center projects as lawmakers weigh how much advance notice municipal officials must give before acting. PennLive Shapiro takes center stage as Congress convenes at Independence Hall Gov. Josh Shapiro addresses a ceremonial meeting of Congress at Philadelphia's Independence Hall on Thursday marking 250 years since the Declaration's signing, telling members they have a 'real responsibility' to perfect the union and check the executive branch. Philadelphia Inquirer Police remove ex-lawmaker Eachus from Amazon data-center hearing Police removed former state Rep. Todd Eachus from a Tuesday-evening public hearing in McAdoo over a proposed Amazon data center, a flashpoint as community opposition to large-load projects grows across Pennsylvania. Standard-Speaker | PA General Assembly -- Floor & Committee (yesterday) Votes: HB 1239 109-93 · HB 2558 103-99 · HB 2412 155-47 · HR 208 201-1 · HB 2146 193-9 · SB 971 201-1 · SB 972 202-0 · HB 2413 195-7 PA General Assembly Rep. Barger: Debate focused on whether to prohibit non-compete clauses for broadcast workers. Supporters argued it protects talent and local markets; opponents warned it harms broadcasters, limits contract freedom, and could hurt future investment. PA General Assembly Debate focused on funding state-related universities; many argued the bill is optional spending, should come after mandatory budgets, and questioned Penn State’s use of funds. One speaker supported the bill for student support. PA General Assembly | What Moved Yesterday — Your Watchlist (Remarks see House Journal Page ), July 1, 2026 [MONITOR] PA General Assembly | What Moved Yesterday — Keyword Matches Re-reported on concurrence, as amended, July 1, 2026 (keywords: data center, data centers) PA General Assembly | On the Floor — Next Session House · Bill On Concurrence (keywords: data center, data centers) PA General Assembly Senate · Third Consideration (watchlist) PA General Assembly | National Politics Thune's judicial confirmation blitz outpaces Trump's first term Senate Majority Leader John Thune is confirming circuit and district judges at a pace exceeding Trump's first term, calling it a top priority and threatening to cut into the August recess to clear the backlog before November's elections. Punchbowl News Republicans move to brand Democrats extremist as leftward primary wave grows With democratic socialists ousting establishment incumbents, Republicans are casting Democrats as a radical threat while Steve Bannon warns the insurgent left has a 'nationwide' operation; upcoming primaries in Connecticut, Michigan and Massachusetts are the next tests. Punchbowl News / Politico Russia strikes Kyiv in deadly overnight barrage Russia hit Ukraine's capital with waves of ballistic missiles and drones overnight, killing at least 17 people and injuring more than 30, in what officials called a show of force after weeks of Ukrainian strikes inside Russia. New York Times | Pittsburgh Sports Paul Skenes (6-8) gave up a season-high seven earned runs over four innings and remains winless in nine starts as the Phillies beat the Pirates 10-6 Wednesday; Henry Davis homered and Jared Triolo added a two-run double for Pittsburgh (43-44). ESPN Pittsburgh added winger Andrei Kuzmenko on a one-year, $5M deal and defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk (two years, $8M) when NHL free agency opened July 1, and acquired forward Nick Robertson from Toronto for a 2028 fourth-round pick. Pittsburgh Penguins / CBS | Market Snapshot | PJM West Hub (RT) | $39.15/MWh +10.2% | | PJM AEP-Dayton (RT) | $36.35/MWh +5.9% | | PJM Capacity 27/28 | $333.44/MW-day | | Henry Hub | $3.33/MMBtu +2.1% | | WTI Crude | $67.14/bbl -2.1% |
As of Jul 2, 8:09 a.m. EPT (PJM RT) | Curated by Matt Leonard. Numbers from real endpoints only. |
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