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PJM Interconnection Capacity Costs Skyrocket, Driving Up Electricity Bills in Member States

PJM Interconnection Capacity Costs Skyrocket, Driving Up Electricity Bills in Member States

Electricity bills in states within the PJM Interconnection, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Maryland, are experiencing significant increases due to soaring capacity costs. PJM, which manages the electricity grid for 13 states and the District of Columbia, sets these capacity costs through auctions designed to ensure sufficient power supply during peak demand. For the 2025/2026 delivery year, capacity clearing prices jumped by 833% from the prior auction. This dramatic increase is attributed to several factors: PJM's revised method for counting available power, which gives less credit to solar and wind resources; the retirement of older power plants (coal and gas) without sufficient new generation to replace them; and rapidly rising electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence and data centers. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has capped subsequent auction prices to protect consumers, but auctions have consistently hit these caps, indicating persistent supply constraints.
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GIANT and MARTIN'S Donate $400,000 to Local Food Banks to Combat Hunger

GIANT and MARTIN'S Donate $400,000 to Local Food Banks to Combat Hunger

The GIANT Company, operating as GIANT and MARTIN'S, has announced a $400,000 donation to 24 food bank partners across its four-state operating area. This initiative kicks off Hunger Action Month, a national campaign established by the Feeding America network in 2007 to raise awareness and inspire action against hunger. Courtney Hopcraft, Manager of Community Relations and Strategic Partnerships at The GIANT Company, highlighted that 48 million people, including over 14 million children, face food insecurity nationwide. The company's commitment extends beyond financial donations, encompassing various activities throughout September, such as partnering with America’s Grow-A-Row for a 'Pass the Produce: Hunger Action Month Food Relay' to deliver fresh produce to regional food banks. Additionally, team members will volunteer with food bank partners, assisting with distributions, packing, stocking, and organizing efforts. Customers are also invited to contribute by rounding up purchases at checkout or buying a ...
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Warren County Celebrates 150th Anniversary of Historic Courthouse

Warren County Celebrates 150th Anniversary of Historic Courthouse

Warren County, Pennsylvania, recently commemorated the 150th anniversary of its historic courthouse with a ceremony highlighting its architectural and judicial history. Community members, county officials, and state lawmakers gathered in the main courtroom for the event, which included historical presentations, proclamations, and legislative citations. The current Italian Renaissance-style courthouse, designed by Buffalo architect M.E. Beebe, was completed in 1876 after the previous structure was destroyed by fire in 1854 and county facilities were condemned in 1873. The original construction, costing between $97,000 and $107,000, faced challenges including a worker strike for fair compensation. The courthouse stands 120 feet tall to the top of its Lady Justice statue and has undergone several expansions, including a North Wing addition in 1925 and a major expansion in 2003 that added a second courtroom. The ceremony also touched upon significant historical events associated with the courthouse, such as wh...
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Pittsburgh Hospital Reports Uptick in Kratom Withdrawals, Highlighting Risks of Unregulated Substances

Pittsburgh Hospital Reports Uptick in Kratom Withdrawals, Highlighting Risks of Unregulated Substances

A Pittsburgh-area hospital, AHN Wexford, is experiencing a concerning increase in patient withdrawals from kratom, often referred to as 'gas station heroin.' Dr. Christopher Eicher of AHN Wexford described kratom as a 'formula for disaster,' noting that the hospital typically sees one to two kratom withdrawal patients per month, but has recently admitted multiple patients to its ICU, ICU stepdown wards, and telemetry ward within the last month. Kratom, derived from an evergreen tree native to Asia, is not heavily regulated in Pennsylvania and is readily available in gas stations and vape shops. This easy accessibility means individuals often consume it without knowing its exact contents or potency, leading to severe health issues. The uptick in withdrawals coincides with discussions by the DEA regarding potential legislation to regulate the substance.
Bucks County Courier TimesBucks County Courier Times
Farmers' Almanac snowfall map shows when snow may hit Philly area

Farmers' Almanac snowfall map shows when snow may hit Philly area

Are you ready for the chill of winter? Here's when Farmers' Almanac first snowfall map says it will come to Bucks County.
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Low Youth Voter Registration in Pennsylvania Raises Concerns About Electoral Participation

Low Youth Voter Registration in Pennsylvania Raises Concerns About Electoral Participation

A recent analysis reveals that only about 22% of 18-year-olds in Pennsylvania are registered to vote, placing the state near the bottom among approximately 38 states studied. Despite Pennsylvania being a pivotal state in U.S. elections, its youth voter registration rates are notably low. Carter Walker, who reported on the issue, suggests that this is not primarily due to a lack of interest among young people but rather structural barriers within Pennsylvania's voter registration laws. One significant issue identified is the state's limited pre-registration process. Unlike many states with higher youth registration rates that allow individuals to pre-register around age 16, Pennsylvania's system does not effectively capture 16- and 17-year-olds, even with automatic voter registration in place. This limits the time young people have to familiarize themselves with the voting process before they become eligible.
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PennDOT Proposes Warren County Slide Repair Project with Federal Funding

PennDOT Proposes Warren County Slide Repair Project with Federal Funding

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has announced a proposed project to repair areas on Route 59 (Kinzua Road) and York Hill Road (Route 3017) in Warren County. The project aims to correct and support deteriorating ground conditions underneath and adjacent to these roads, which are prone to slides. The proposed work includes the installation of underground support systems, full-width road reconstruction, and updates to guide rails and drainage. Specifically, on Route 59, an underground metal retaining wall will be installed, with traffic controlled by a temporary signal for approximately one month. On York Hill Road, a similar retaining wall will be installed, requiring a two-month detour. The estimated construction cost is between $1 million and $2.5 million, fully funded by federal funds designated for mitigating natural disasters under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Construction is expected to occur during the 2027 season.
Bucks County Courier TimesBucks County Courier Times
Why are flags in PA flying at half staff today?

Why are flags in PA flying at half staff today?

Flags were lowered today in honor of those lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks
AP NewsAP News
Coroner releases details of infants who died amid growing Pennsylvania measles outbreak

Coroner releases details of infants who died amid growing Pennsylvania measles outbreak

A Pennsylvania coroner confirms that the two measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania last month involved infants, and the virus itself caused one of the deaths
ReutersReuters
Trump offers $5,000 to every American if Republicans win midterm elections

Trump offers $5,000 to every American if Republicans win midterm elections

By Nandita Bose, Steve Holland and Nathan Layne DALLAS, Sept 9 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would pay every American adult a $5,000 "Trump dividend" if Republicans retain control of Congress in November's midterm election, a striking attempt to persuade voters to back his
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U.S. Data Center Projects Face Scrutiny Over Nondisclosure Agreements Limiting Public Transparency

U.S. Data Center Projects Face Scrutiny Over Nondisclosure Agreements Limiting Public Transparency

Across the United States, a growing number of local governments are facing scrutiny for using nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) in connection with proposed data center projects. These NDAs restrict what officials can publicly disclose about these developments, which are rapidly expanding due to the demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure. Critics argue that these agreements reduce transparency regarding the projects' potential impacts on energy grids, water supplies, and local communities. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut has launched a nationwide investigation into the use of NDAs, asserting that communities deserve greater transparency about projects that could affect infrastructure and utility costs. Examples include Pennsylvania, where four of nine data center projects in a former 'Fast Track' permitting program involved municipalities with NDAs, and Virginia, where researchers found 25 of 31 localities with data centers had signed NDAs. Other states like Arizona, Louisiana, Tennessee,...
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New Study Identifies Mice and Acorns, Not Deer, as Primary Drivers of Lyme Disease Risk in Pennsylvania

New Study Identifies Mice and Acorns, Not Deer, as Primary Drivers of Lyme Disease Risk in Pennsylvania

A recent study, utilizing over 35 years of data, challenges the long-held belief that deer are the main drivers of Lyme disease. University of Pennsylvania biology professor Dustin Brisson, who researches the ecology of Borrelia burgdorferi (the bacterium causing Lyme disease), noted that variations in deer populations are not a significant factor in most areas where Lyme disease is prevalent. This finding is particularly relevant for Pennsylvania, which has one of the highest deer populations in the U.S. and has been identified as a 'ground zero' for Lyme disease. The study concludes that mice and acorns are the primary factors influencing Lyme disease risk. This information comes as the region approaches the end of an active tick season, prompting a reevaluation of public understanding regarding Lyme disease transmission.