Pennsylvania SB 704: An Act providing for stabilization and security of Pennsylvania's electricity supply and for identifying and designating sites suitable for natural gas electric generation projects.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 725
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 704
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY YAW, PENNYCUICK, BARTOLOTTA, MASTRIANO, CULVER,
VOGEL, FARRY, LAUGHLIN, J. WARD, FLYNN AND MILLER,
MAY 2, 2025
REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, MAY 2, 2025
AN ACT
Providing for stabilization and security of Pennsylvania's
electricity supply and for identifying and designating sites
suitable for natural gas electric generation projects.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Grid
Stabilization and Security Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Community and Economic
Development of the Commonwealth.
"Natural gas." As defined under 58 Pa.C.S. § 2301 (relating
to definitions).
Section 3. Sites suitable for natural gas electric generation
projects.
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(a) Identification.--The department shall identify
economically viable sites for natural gas electric generation
projects within this Commonwealth that are:
(1) Near producing natural gas wells or pipelines
carrying natural gas produced in this Commonwealth capable of
supplying and sustaining one or more natural gas electric
generation facilities for the economic life of the
facilities.
(2) Near existing electric transmission infrastructure
capable of transmitting the generated electricity to
wholesale markets for the benefit of end-user consumers of
electricity by one or more natural gas electric generation
facilities for the economic life of the facilities.
(3) Likely to create economically viable natural gas
electric generation projects that provide economic benefits
to the Commonwealth, surrounding municipalities and the
residents of this Commonwealth.
Section 4. Preparation and publication of list.
Following identification of economically viable sites for
natural gas electric generation projects under section 3, the
department shall:
(1) Prepare a list of the sites.
(2) Submit the list to the Department of Environmental
Protection's Bureau of Air Quality.
(3) Publish the list on the department's publicly
accessible Internet website.
Section 5. Air quality.
The department shall work in conjunction with the Department
of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Air Quality to identify
the air quality permits or approvals that may be required for
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each site on the list prepared under section 4. The following
shall be taken into account when identifying a required air
quality permit or approval:
(1) Different potential generation sizes.
(2) Applicable regional air quality criteria.
(3) Anticipated time frame necessary for reviewing and
issuing the permit or approval.
Section 6. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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