MJL Morning Briefing | | From Matt Leonard · Wednesday, September 9, 2026 | TOP STORY FirstEnergy Pennsylvania security chief Brian Harrell told the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee's utilities subcommittee his systems block tens of thousands of malicious connection attempts monthly, while PJM security chief Steve McElwee and the Municipal Authorities Association's Craig Fahnestock, representing nearly 700 water authorities, warned smaller rural systems lack the resources to meet new mandates. PA Capital-Star (via PhillyVoice) | Energy Industry Judge Jane Richards Roth wrote that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection acted arbitrarily and capriciously in certifying the Raritan Bay gas pipeline, with the panel finding DEP never addressed dredging and the disturbance of contaminants buried in the seabed, sending the permit back to the agency. New Jersey Monitor Pro-AI group puts $10 million behind a data-center advocacy campaign in three states Build American AI, a nonprofit tied to the pro-AI super PAC network Leading the Future, is spending $10 million starting this week on cable and digital ads arguing data centers create thousands of good-paying jobs, launching first in Kansas and also running in Ohio and Wisconsin. Politico Playbook | PA & NJ Politics The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is deciding whether to add legal protections for defendants charged with drug delivery resulting in death, though Justice David Wecht signaled skepticism that the court rather than the legislature can change the law. Spotlight PA Pennsylvania is guaranteed $493 million from Meta's settlement with 47 states over harms to children, plus $23.8 million over 2014 data-sharing claims and up to $705.2 million across 10 yearly installments, and has not decided who receives the money or how. PA Capital-Star Most rural Pennsylvania counties are shedding residents ahead of schedule according to 2025 Census estimates, with the shifts already reshaping schools, health care, housing and local spending. Erie Times-News | PA General Assembly -- Floor & Committee (yesterday) Floor session PA General Assembly | What Moved Yesterday — Your Watchlist Laid on the table, Sept. 8, 2026 Laid on the table, Sept. 8, 2026 [MONITOR] Laid on the table, Sept. 8, 2026 [MONITOR] Laid on the table, Sept. 8, 2026 | What Moved Yesterday — Keyword Matches Laid on the table, Sept. 8, 2026 (keyword: public utilities) Newly filed; no action recorded yet. (keywords: data center, data centers) | 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 Brent topped $100 per barrel early Wednesday, Punchbowl reported, after U.S. Central Command said Tuesday it destroyed five Iranian oil tankers and Iran launched a ballistic-missile barrage against U.S. forces in Jordan. Punchbowl News Justice Brett Kavanaugh denied Missouri's request to overturn a state supreme court ruling tossing the 7R-1D map, then within an hour Chief Judge Stephen Clark of the Eastern District of Missouri granted a temporary restraining order reinstating it, with local officials facing a Sept. 19 deadline to change ballots. Punchbowl News and Politico Playbook Pappas and Sununu set for New Hampshire Senate race as Stefany Shaheen wins the 1st District primary Rep. Chris Pappas defeated Karishma Manzur and will face former Sen. John Sununu for the open Senate seat, while Stefany Shaheen beat Marine veteran Maura Sullivan by 2.3 points for the Democratic nomination in Pappas's district. Punchbowl News Trump bans certain Canadian alcohol, dairy and motorcycle imports effective Sept. 29 Trump announced the new import bans Tuesday afternoon, escalating a trade fight in which Prime Minister Mark Carney had already imposed counter-tariffs on nearly $20 billion of U.S. goods. Punchbowl News | Pittsburgh Sports Chandler went six innings with four hits, two earned runs and eight strikeouts in Chicago on Tuesday, backed by a five-run Pirates first inning that chased White Sox starter Sean Burke after 1.1 innings and seven earned runs. ESPN The roster of 14 forwards, 10 defensemen and three goaltenders includes defenseman Harrison Brunicke and the club's 2026 draft picks, and opens against Columbus at 3 p.m. on Sept. 12 before games against Detroit and Dallas. The Hockey News | Market Snapshot | PJM West Hub (RT) | $30.04/MWh +29.2% | | PJM AEP-Dayton (RT) | $29.86/MWh +7.6% | | PJM Capacity 28/29 | $325.00/MW-day | | Henry Hub | $2.90/MMBtu | | WTI Crude | $95.55/bbl +2.7% |
As of Sep 9, 8:00 a.m. EPT (PJM RT) | Curated by Matt Leonard. Numbers from real endpoints only. |
|