MJL Morning Briefing | | From Matt Leonard · Thursday, July 23, 2026 | TOP STORY Roughly 200 utilities and data center developers — including NextEra, Duke Energy, Equinix and Digital Realty, covering about 80% of power delivered to U.S. homes and businesses — signed a voluntary pledge that AI energy use won't raise household bills, with no penalty for non-compliance and rates still set by state regulators. The Hill | Energy Industry Coal industry groups urged the Trump administration on July 21 to extend federal financing to both existing and newly built coal-fired generation as retirements continue across PJM and other markets. Reuters DCED Secretary Rick Siger announced the Commonwealth Financing Authority approved over $1.6 million for solar installations at five schools in the Wyomissing Area, Norristown Area and Newport districts, drawn from the $25 million the 2026-27 budget carries for the program. PA DCED Sen. Muth faults budget for leaving data center regulation unaddressed State Sen. Katie Muth (D-44), who voted against the recently passed state budget, used a Monday online town hall to criticize what she called budget tricks and the General Assembly's failure to pass data center regulations. Pottstown Mercury | PA & NJ Politics Millions pour into three Pennsylvania toss-up House races Pennsylvania holds three of the 18 House races the Cook Political Report rates as toss-ups — more than any other state — and all three are currently held by Republicans, making them central to Democrats' path to a majority. Open Secrets ICE formally drops plans for two Pennsylvania detention centers Gov. Josh Shapiro said Wednesday that DHS reversed plans to convert warehouses in Berks and Schuylkill counties into ICE detention centers that would have held up to 9,000 immigrants, following state and local opposition. Philadelphia Inquirer PA House Democrats expect no deal before felony-murder resentencing deadline With the state Supreme Court's deadline to rewrite second-degree murder sentencing law less than 48 hours away, House Democratic leaders say there is still no agreement on the Republican-sponsored Senate measure despite a voting session set for Thursday. WESA Shapiro replaces General Services secretary Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Wednesday that Department of General Services Secretary Reggie McNeil will conclude his service effective July 31, with Executive Deputy Secretary Sandra Aguilera taking over in an acting role the next day. PoliticsPA | 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 | National Politics US signs two nuclear export agreements with Saudi Arabia The Trump administration said Wednesday night it signed two agreements letting private U.S. companies export nuclear energy to Saudi Arabia, calling it a decades-long, multibillion-dollar partnership, while lawmakers warned it could let Riyadh enrich uranium within a decade. Politico House Republicans pushed through a $95 billion budget resolution Wednesday to unlock reconciliation, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune says he won't take it up until the Sept. 30 funding fight is resolved, likely pushing the effort into the lame duck. Punchbowl News House passes congressional stock-trading ban, likely dead in the Senate The House on Wednesday passed legislation barring members of Congress, their spouses and their children from buying individual stocks, though Senate Republican leadership has shown little interest in taking it up. NOTUS | Pittsburgh Sports Jared Triolo and Jake Mangum delivered 10th-inning RBI singles off Fernando Cruz to take the opener 5-3 after Gerrit Cole struck out 11, then Max Fried allowed one hit over five innings as New York took the nightcap 2-0, leaving Pittsburgh 53-50. ESPN Robertson, 26, agreed to a one-year, $12 million deal with the Stars days before an arbitration hearing, ending months of trade speculation that had repeatedly linked the winger to Pittsburgh. Yahoo Sports | Market Snapshot | PJM West Hub (RT) | $3.60/MWh -87.1% | | PJM AEP-Dayton (RT) | $45.95/MWh +79.6% | | PJM Capacity 28/29 | $325.00/MW-day | | Henry Hub | $2.80/MMBtu +1.8% | | WTI Crude | $90.75/bbl +4.5% |
As of Jul 23, 9:26 a.m. EPT (PJM RT) | Curated by Matt Leonard. Numbers from real endpoints only. |
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