MJL Morning Briefing | | From Matt Leonard · Tuesday, July 28, 2026 | TOP STORY The Independent Fiscal Office's July 27 electricity update puts the average Pennsylvania monthly bill at $257, up from $213 in 2024, with wholesale costs up 75.5% in the first quarter. IFO via PA Environment Digest | Energy Industry DEP opens comment period on Milesburg 230-kV line upgrade in Centre County DEP invited public comment on a stormwater permit for the Milesburg 230-kV transmission line upgrade in Centre County, an interconnection buildout tied to data center development. PA Environment Digest In a Utility Dive commentary, ex-FERC chairman Joseph Kelliher argues OPSI's bid to make PJM and its transmission owners file Section 205 tariff changes at states' direction is barred by the Federal Power Act. Utility Dive (commentary) PA coalition pushes renewables buildout as utility rates climb Environmental and consumer groups launched a campaign urging faster renewable additions to blunt Pennsylvania rate increases, as regional demand runs toward a 125,117 MW PJM peak forecast for Tuesday. WHYY via PA Environment Digest | National Politics Trump backed conservatives' push to scrap the recess for the voter-ID bill, but Senate Republicans lack 50 votes to proceed to the budget resolution and Thune wants the House's $67 billion defense figure doubled. Punchbowl News ⚡Leaked White House plan would scrap Yucca Mountain as sole nuclear waste site A leaked document shows the White House pressing Congress to break the high-level nuclear waste impasse by dropping Yucca Mountain as the nation's only storage site and enticing states to volunteer. Politico Playbook Zelensky addresses senators at 6 p.m. ahead of an initial vote on S. 5025, which has 62 cosponsors including 22 Democrats; expanded Trump tariff authority is the sticking point. Punchbowl News Trump administration asks Supreme Court to let mail-voting order take effect The administration urged the justices to clear an executive order restricting mail-in voting and changing voter-list rules before November's midterms, teeing up a pre-election test. Politico Playbook | PA & NJ Politics Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti launched a $200,000 two-week TV ad against AI data centers in PA-08, where Rep. Rob Bresnahan has introduced a Local Control Protection Act limiting zoning lawsuits. AP Deluzio rolls out three-bill Build America plan to reindustrialize manufacturing Rep. Chris Deluzio unveiled a three-bill package aimed at rebuilding domestic manufacturing and the industrial base, arguing Democrats need an affirmative industrial policy beyond opposing Trump's tariffs. Politico via PoliticsPA Boyle uses PA Press Club stage to talk party direction and his own future House Budget ranking member Brendan Boyle addressed the Pennsylvania Press Club in Harrisburg on Monday, offering a history lesson, advice for fellow Democrats and answers about his political future. PoliticsPA McCormick says Iran war costs won't crowd out defense tech investment Six months into the U.S. conflict with Iran, Sen. Dave McCormick said in Lititz on Monday the country can fund the war and new defense technology, backing continued growth in the defense budget. LNP via 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 | Pittsburgh Sports Bryan Reynolds tied it with an eighth-inning RBI double, and a 10th-inning line drive that glanced off first baseman Ildemaro Vargas scored the winning run, pulling Pittsburgh even with Arizona for the NL's third wild card. ESPN Players reported to Saint Vincent College on Tuesday for Mike McCarthy's first Steelers camp, the franchise's first without Mike Tomlin since 2007, with the initial public practice set for Wednesday at 11 a.m. Steelers.com | Market Snapshot | PJM West Hub (RT) | $30.22/MWh -16.7% | | PJM AEP-Dayton (RT) | $30.15/MWh -15.4% | | PJM Capacity 28/29 | $325.00/MW-day | | Henry Hub | $2.80/MMBtu +1.8% | | WTI Crude | $81.63/bbl -1.2% |
As of Jul 28, 8:09 a.m. EPT (PJM RT) | Curated by Matt Leonard. Numbers from real endpoints only. |
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