MJL Morning Briefing | | From Matt Leonard · Wednesday, July 22, 2026 | TOP STORY Ratepayer advocates in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland and Ohio filed complaints in mid-July warning that FERC's June show-cause order leaves existing PJM consumers paying for data-center-driven network upgrades unless the agency clarifies that large loads cover their full cost. Utility Dive | Energy Industry Data centers accounted for $6.3 billion (about 38%) of the $16.4 billion in charges from PJM's most recent capacity auction, and $29.4 billion (46%) across the last four base auctions, PJM independent market monitor Joseph Bowring said. Utility Dive The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission approved a rate increase for Pennsylvania American Water that is smaller than the utility originally requested, reducing the hike that water customers will pay. PA Environment Digest U.S. data-center electricity demand could jump 133%, from 183 TWh in 2024 to 426 TWh by 2030, a new report cited by Utility Dive projects, landing on a PJM grid already serving roughly 97.3 GW of load this morning. Utility Dive | PA & NJ Politics Pennsylvania residents and 2026 candidates rallied in downtown Wilkes-Barre to demand a pause on Northeast Pennsylvania's fast-growing wave of data-center proposals, citing utility strain, heavy water use, air pollution and noise. PoliticsPA Speaking in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro highlighted $125 million in the 2026-27 budget to create 'Innovate in PA 2.0,' part of a push to expand the state's startup and innovation network. PoliticsPA NJ says ~400 noncitizens voted after DMV registration error Roughly 400 noncitizens were improperly registered and cast ballots in New Jersey after a software error at the state DMV, the governor's office said, drawing scrutiny to the automatic voter-registration system. NYT The Morning | 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 Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he won't advance the $95B reconciliation blueprint until government funding past Sept. 30 is settled, jamming Speaker Mike Johnson and leaving Pentagon money at risk of a mid-August solvency crunch. Punchbowl News Iran war and rising gas prices rattle GOP midterm math Rising gas prices and mounting U.S. casualties from the Iran war have GOP strategists bracing for losses, with Pennsylvania's Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick among battleground members boxed in on the conflict as MAGA support for staying in slips to 37%. Politico Playbook McCormick in line for Senate energy gavel, pushing permitting reform Sen. Dave McCormick is positioned to chair the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee next Congress and is pressing a permitting-reform agenda that has been stalled for three years, he told Puck. PoliticsPA House to vote on congressional stock-trading ban The House is set to vote on a GOP-led ban on congressional stock trading, tied to portions of Trump's SAVE America Act, though critics call it too weak and similar efforts have repeatedly stalled in the Senate. Politico Playbook | Pittsburgh Sports Steelers players report to training camp Tuesday, July 28 at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe for a 59th year there, with the first open practice July 29, the first padded practice Aug. 3, and the popular night practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium on Aug. 8. Steelers.com With the July 31 trade deadline nearing, the Pirates (52-49) are weighing a shift toward buying rather than their usual selling, though slugger Oneil Cruz's return from injury is increasingly in doubt. MLB.com | Market Snapshot | PJM West Hub (RT) | $27.85/MWh -71.6% | | PJM AEP-Dayton (RT) | $25.58/MWh -71.9% | | PJM Capacity 28/29 | $325.00/MW-day | | Henry Hub | $2.83/MMBtu +3.7% | | WTI Crude | $87.37/bbl +3.6% |
As of Jul 22, 8:08 a.m. EPT (PJM RT) | Curated by Matt Leonard. Numbers from real endpoints only. |
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