From House Passage to the State Budget: Pennsylvania Clears Way for Advanced Transmission Technologies

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed the Commonwealth’s fiscal code package into law on July 12, 2026, including provisions promoting the use of advanced transmission technologies (ATTs) across the state’s electric grid. The move marks the culmination of months of bipartisan advocacy and positions Pennsylvania among a growing number of states embracing innovative tools to maximize the grid we already have.

ATTs can increase the amount of electricity that existing transmission lines can carry, often at a fraction of the cost and timeline of building entirely new infrastructure. At a time when electricity demand is rapidly increasing and consumers are facing rising bills, these technologies represent a practical, near-term solution to improve reliability and affordability.

This achievement did not happen overnight. Throughout 2026, Advanced Energy United and our partners have been in Harrisburg making the case that Pennsylvania can no longer afford to leave proven grid technologies on the shelf. United’s Pennsylvania Principal Chris D’Agostino helped elevate the issue through extensive stakeholder engagement, including discussions on the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s Pennsylvania Legacies podcast, where he highlighted how modern transmission technologies can unlock additional capacity, support economic growth, and lower costs for consumers.

United also worked directly with lawmakers and coalition partners to build momentum behind legislation requiring utilities to evaluate ATTs as part of transmission planning. That effort paid off in May when the Pennsylvania House unanimously passed House Bill 2223, a remarkable bipartisan vote demonstrating broad recognition that smarter use of existing infrastructure benefits everyone.

The advocacy continued in the Senate, where United engaged directly with legislators. United’s Transmission Program Lead and Senior Principal Doug Pietrucha joined legislators and advocates at a Harrisburg press conference to emphasize the stakes for consumers. The message was clear: Pennsylvania needs every available tool to manage growing electricity demand, reduce congestion costs, and avoid unnecessary infrastructure expenses. ATTs can help accomplish all three.

The inclusion of ATT provisions in the final fiscal code represents an important milestone, but it is also just the beginning.

As Pennsylvania prepares for increased electricity demand driven by economic growth, electrification, and new large loads, modernizing the grid will be essential. ATTs offer a common-sense path forward, one that improves reliability, lowers costs, and enables more energy resources to connect to the grid faster.

Advanced Energy United is proud to have helped lead this effort and looks forward to continuing our work with policymakers, regulators, utilities, and partners to ensure Pennsylvania fully realizes the benefits of a modern, flexible, and consumer-focused electric grid.