Latest news with #PRESS
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Mines hit with production stoppages, reductions in face of wildfires
Production and exploration at some Manitoba mines has ground to a halt as staff evacuate and wildfires rage. Hudbay Minerals paused operations at its gold and zinc mine at Snow Lake, it told investors on Wednesday. The underground mine has a daily mill capacity of 5,300 tonnes. Most employees have left the area; the Town of Snow Lake was issued a precautionary evacuation notice on Tuesday. Essential Hudbay staff have remained to assist with emergency activities, the company said, adding the workers have been authorized by emergency services. WAYNE GLOWACKI/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Some mining sites in the Snow Lake area have evacuated workers because of raging wildfires. '(Hudbay) believes its infrastructure and facilities in Snow Lake and Flin Flon are well-protected from the wildfires and have a low risk of being damaged,' a note to investors reads. It had reduced production levels as fires spread near Flin Flon. Hudbay sites have natural fire barriers, a spokeswoman said without elaborating. Hudbay said it's tabbed $1 million in direct financial support for its employees forced to evacuate. The money is meant to cover costs incurred as staff find places to live. Hudbay has also deployed firefighters and is creating a community relief donation fund where it'll double the amount donated by its staff; the company has other mines in British Columbia and Peru. It doesn't expect the stoppage to have any material impact on its annual production targets, spokeswoman Sara Pearson wrote in a statement. Meanwhile, Alamos Gold told the Northern Miner it's paused operations at its Lynn Lake gold project. The Toronto-based company broke ground on the mine in March. The Town of Lynn Lake was given evacuation orders on May 27. The Tanco mine, one of Canada's two lithium mines, was temporarily shuttered last month. It resides near the Whiteshell Provincial Park; most of its employees live in Lac du Bonnet and Pinawa. Neither Alamos Gold nor the Sinomine Resource Group, who owns the Tanco mine, were available for comment by print deadline. Canadian Gold Corp. has suspended exploration of its gold mine project near Tartan Lake, which is close to a wildfire threatening Flin Flon. Roughly 10 people — a drill crew, geologists and assistants — have been transported to Winnipeg, Swan River and Saskatchewan, Canadian Gold's president said. The company has been drilling in the area since 2021. There's a bridge to access its site and a machine shop used for geological work. Company president Michael Swistun doesn't know whether the infrastructure remains. Fires appeared to be close by, he said. 'As unfortunate as it is to have a loss, it can always be replaced,' he added. 'Nothing is more paramount than life. The fact (that) everybody has got out safely and is safe and sound is really the priority.' Swistun expressed gratitude to firefighters and the province of Manitoba for their efforts. In Bissett, junior explorer 1911 Gold has halted operations of its True North complex. The site includes a 1,300 tonnes per day processing plant and a gold deposit. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. All 1911 Gold personnel have been safely relocated, the company said in a news release. True North camp facilities were open to front-line responders; an evacuation order came down on Bissett last week. Callinex Mines, which has a project near Flin Flon, hasn't been affected by current wildfires. However, it was severely impacted by fire last year, the company said. Staff are working on a Newfoundland site. 'Our hearts and thoughts and prayers are with everyone that are actively fighting the fires right now,' said John Morris, co-director of the Mining Association of Manitoba Inc. Not all mines have been affected by fires and evacuations, he added: 'We're just hoping for rain and hoping that the situation can be under control as soon as possible.' Gabrielle PichéReporter Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle. Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmakers rally behind pivotal new energy proposal with statewide consequences: 'This is the moment to act'
Pennsylvania lawmakers hope a proposed bill will catch the state up to its neighbors when it comes to renewable energy — and they're using a full-court press to get the word out to their constituents. MyChesCo reported that officials held a hearing in mid-May to put a spotlight on the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard, or PRESS. The bill is one of two proposed last year by Gov. Josh Shapiro in an attempt to cut the state's dependency on dirty energy. During the hearing, state Rep. Greg Vitali, a Democrat from Delaware, said this legislation is vital for Pennsylvania, which currently gets just 4% of its energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar. In 2020, Pennsylvania emitted the fourth-most planet-warming gases among U.S. states. "The goal of PRESS is to increase energy diversity and increase clean energy," Vitali said. "This is the moment to act with PRESS and the governor's Lightning Plan to strengthen our energy grid, reduce the impact of fossil fuels, and make Pennsylvania an energy leader while protecting our natural environment." PRESS would build upon many of the green initiatives included in the federal Inflation Reduction Act. It would require the state to boost renewable energy each year to at least 35% of its portfolio by 2035, thereby unlocking more than $1.7 billion in federal tax credits. Shapiro has put forth a six-part energy plan as part of his budget proposal. It comes at a time when many residents are facing double-digit increases in their electricity bills, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. Shapiro has also proposed capping the amount of pollution power plants can emit and requiring them to purchase carbon credits to offset pollution above that cap. Robert Bair, president of the Pennsylvania Building Trade, is among those expressing hesitation about PRESS, per MyChesCo, suggesting that safeguards should be in place for Pennsylvania jobs amid any transitions, even though he supported Shapiro's efforts to bring energy conversations to the forefront. "While we may have concerns with certain proposals…we are very supportive of Gov. Shapiro's efforts to stimulate a serious discussion on energy policy with an 'all-of-the-above' approach," he said. PennFuture, an environmental advocacy group, was among the organizations with a presence at May's public hearing. CEO Patrick McDonnell said PRESS is a necessity for Pennsylvania to create a clean, renewable future. "House Bill 501 represents a comprehensive approach to modernizing Pennsylvania's energy landscape," he said in his testimony. "By setting ambitious renewable energy targets and establishing mechanisms to fund sustainable projects, the bill seeks to make energy more affordable for residents while promoting environmental stewardship." Do you think governments should ban gas stoves? Heck yes! Only in new buildings Only in restaurants Heck no! Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Shaprio's renewable energy plan advances as Trump administration keeps Pa. fossil fuel plant online
The Blue Creek wind farm in Ohio, consists of 152 wind turbines with a total capacity of 304 megawatts. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has finalized new rules that are expected to help ease the backlog of new wind, solar and battery storage projects awaiting regulatory approval. (Robert Zullo/ States Newsroom) Days before Pennsylvania lawmakers advanced Gov. Josh Shapiro's plan to expand the commonwealth's renewable energy resources, the Trump administration ordered a fossil fuel-fired power plant outside Philadelphia to keep running past its planned retirement date. The U.S. Department of Energy on Friday ordered Pennsylvania's electricity grid operator PJM Interconnect and owner Constellation Energy to keep the Eddystone Generating Station in Delaware County ready to meet peak power demands. It was scheduled to cease operations Saturday. The order highlights challenges facing Pennsylvania policymakers as they work to ensure there's enough electricity for industry and residents while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Legislation that would set a more ambitious goal for renewable energy production in what Shapiro describes as an all-of-the-above approach to meeting demand passed a state House committee on Monday. House Bill 501 would enact the Pennsylvania Reliability Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS), which is part of Shapiro's broader energy policy dubbed the Lightning Plan. It would require 35% of the state's energy to come from clean sources including solar, wind, nuclear and other emerging technologies by 2040. Other aspects of the plan would provide tax credits for renewable energy development and establish a dedicated board to streamline energy permitting to incentivize developers to prioritize clean energy. While President Donald Trump has backed the oil, gas and coal industries since he campaigned for his first term in 2016, the DOE order to keep the Eddystone Generating Station online cited an 'emergency situation' as PJM warned that electricity demand in the 13 states it serves could soon outpace the opening of new power plants. PJM projects its peak demand will grow by about 70,000 megawatts to 220,000 megawatts by 2040. The growth is being driven by the increased electrification of transportation and industry and the proliferation of data centers to satisfy the demand for computing power from artificial intelligence and other technologies. PJM's process to authorize new power plants to connect to the grid faces a backlog including hundreds of gigawatts of renewable energy while about 20% of its existing generating capacity is expected to retire in the next five years. Starting this month, consumers in Pennsylvania and the rest of PJM's footprint will see electric bills increase by 10% to 20% as a result of soaring prices in last July's capacity auction, in which electricity generators bid to provide generating capacity. Pennsylvania, meanwhile, lags behind most of the nation in renewable energy development. An analysis of federal energy data by PennEnvironment put the commonwealth behind all but Washington and Alaska, which tied for last place. Debate on the renewable energy legislation Monday in the House Environmental and Natural Resources Committee demonstrated the tension between Pennsylvania's energy future and its past. Republicans argued the goal of obtaining 35% of the state's energy from clean sources by 2035 is unrealistic. Natural gas and coal provide reliable electricity while helping to drive Pennsylvania's economy, they said. Rep. Tim Twardzik (R-Schuylkill) said renewable energy sources including solar and wind power would take up too much land. And subsidizing them at the expense of established fossil fuel sources would hurt workers and consumers by taking away jobs and increasing prices. 'It's just going to waste money and not solve our problems,' Twardzik said. Democrats said diversifying the state's energy portfolio is essential to staving off an energy crisis. 'We are at a crossroads,' Rep. Chris Pielli (D-Chester) said. 'I think that we should be looking at many forms of energy, nuclear, geothermal, and even using our gas and our oil.' Pielli rebutted claims by Republicans that the renewable energy legislation would create winners and losers. He argued Pennsylvania's gas industry benefitted from a subsidy when lawmakers chose not to impose an excise tax on gas production, forgoing billions in revenue. Deeply conservative Texas, Pielli noted, leads the nation in both natural gas production, wind and solar energy. 'Let's look at that … recognizing that this bill is an opportunity that we can fine tune, where we can use any and all of these resources to protect our consumers going forward when it comes to our power,' he said.
Winnipeg Free Press
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
GALLERY: Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Winnipeg Free Press photographer Brook Jones captured the action on and off the field at the Winnipeg Blue Bombers pre-season game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday in Winnipeg. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Winnipeg Bombers wide receiver Keric Wheatfall (No. 88) goes up for the football while Riders defensive back Marcus Sayles (No. 8) covers him during second quarter action on Saturday. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Bombers quarterback Terry Wilson (No. 3) prepares to throw a pass during fourth quarter action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Winnipeg Blue Bombers mascots Buzz (No. 01) and Boomer (No. 00) show their enthusiasm for the team's win. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros (No. 8) prepares to throw the football during first quarter action on Saturday. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Bombers fans cheers on their home team during second half action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Bombers fans Ray Cool rings his Bombers cowbell while his friend Shaun Duguay whistles with his fingers during first half action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Winnipeg Blue Bombers cheer and dance team member Emma Barr (middle) during first half action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Bombers fans ring their Bombers cowbell during second half action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Bombers quarterback (No. 3) prepares to throw a pass during fourth quarter action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Bombers wide receiver Kevens Clercius (No. 86) is tackled by Riders linebacker Antonie Brooks Jr. during first quarter action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Bombers quarterback Chris Streveler (No. 17) is thrown into the air with a hit by Riders defensive back Marcus Sayles (No. 8) during second quarter action on Saturday. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: A Bombers fan rings her Bombers cowbell during first half action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Matthew Peterson (No. 22) runs with the football while Riders defensive lineman Lake Korte-Moore (No. 49) prepares to tackle him during second quarter action Saturday. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Captain Blue (right) and Blue Bombers fan Everley Barr, 5, give each other fist bumps after the game. It was Barr's first Bomber game she has attended. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Chris Streveler (No. 17) runs with the football while Riders defensive back Marcus Sayles (No. 8) stops his progression during second quarter action on Saturday. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Winnipeg Blue Bombers drumline member Kaitlyn Childs plays a snare drum during second half action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers punter James Evans (left) holds the football for Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo (middle). Castillo hit his fifth field goal of the game late in the fourth quarter. Also pictured is Riders defensive back Tyrique McGhee (right) on Saturday. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Winnipeg Blue Bombers drumline during first half action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Bombers quarterback Terry Wilson (No. 3) receives the snap during fourth quarter action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Bombers defensive back Evan Holm (No. 31) tackles Riders running back A.J. Ouellette (No. 45) during second quarter action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Winnipeg Blue Bombers mascots Buzz (No. 01) and Boomer (No. 00) show their enthusiasm for the team's win. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Captain Blue takes a lap around the end zone after the Bombers kicked a field goal during second half action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Nine-year-old Kiera Wetton gives 2025 Grey Cup mascot Justin Beaver a hug after the game. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira (No. 20) is tackled by Riders linebacker Aubrey Miller (No. 47) and defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. (No. 0) during first quarter action on Saturday. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Winnipeg Blue Bombers cheer and dance team member Laura Tymchyshyn (middle) during first half action. ROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers Cam Allen (No. 35) tries to escape the grip from Riders running back Mario Anderson (No. 29) during second quarter action on Saturday.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Huge amount of growth': Lawmakers hear testimony on meeting Pa. power demand
Wind turbines in Hardin County, Ohio, on Feb. 3, 2023. (Robert Zullo/ States Newsroom) Pennsylvania electricity would be more reliable and affordable if more wind, solar and nuclear power are deployed as the regional grid faces an explosive growth in demand, state lawmakers heard Monday. Testimony during a House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee hearing suggested that Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed legislation to increase the supply of renewable energy would position the commonwealth well to ride out the turbulence. But at least one industry representative pushed back on that premise. PJM Interconnection, the organization that operates the electricity grid for Pennsylvania and 12 other states, has predicted its peak demand will grow by about 70,000 megawatts to 220,000 megawatts by 2040. The growth is being driven by the increased electrification of transportation and industry and the proliferation of data centers to satisfy the demand for computing power from artificial intelligence and other technologies. 'That's like building Pennsylvania's entire existing energy generating fleet, and then some additional 20,000 more megawatts over the next 15 years. That's a huge amount of growth, and we do need all energy sources to play a part in that,' said Evan Vaughn, executive director of the Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Coalition, a nonprofit group representing wind, solar and battery storage developers and advocates for renewable energy growth. Shapiro's Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) would create incentives for renewable energy development and add emerging technologies such as next-generation nuclear, fusion, and carbon capture technologies to the state's range of renewable energy sources. First introduced in 2024 and reintroduced as part of Shapiro's broader Lightning energy plan, PRESS would require 35% of Pennsylvania's electricity to come from clean sources by 2035. The updated standard would open Pennsylvania to new investment and create 14,500 jobs, the governor's office said. The Lightning plan would employ an existing state program, the Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) Tax Credit, to to provide up to $100 million per facility for three years to encourage the addition of renewable energy to the grid and additional credits for projects in the two proposed regional hydrogen hubs and for sustainable aviation fuel. Rep. Danielle Friel-Otten (D-Chester) and Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks) are sponsors of companion bills in the House and Senate that would put PRESS into effect. Pennsylvania is not immune from the effects on the price of electricity of the growing global demand for energy and a plateau in petroleum and natural gas production, Friel-Otten said. 'We have an important task ahead of us to increase energy on the grid,' Friel-Otten said. 'As we do that, we have a responsibility to continue to do the work to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change.' Vaughn said there are about 9,600 megawatts of solar, wind and storage capacity projects in the PJM queue in Pennsylvania. 'In many ways those are the fastest projects and the most concrete projects that can be brought online to help meet demand in the next five years or so,' he said, adding that utility scale wind and solar power projects are the least expensive options for new power plants. Combined with Shapiro's proposed Reliable Energy Siting and Electric Transition (RESET) Board, which would serve as a central authority to consider and approve applications for large generating facilities, the planned projects could be online quickly. That legislation was introduced as House Bill 502 by Rep. Mandy Steele (D-Allegheny). Nick Cohen, president of Doral Renewables, a solar energy production and storage development company in Philadelphia, said local opposition to energy projects often stands in the way of the economic benefits to individual landowners and communities. Pennsylvania would benefit from a state-level reviewing body that other states have empowered to vet energy projects. 'The bill is encouraging. It's a beacon that goes out to corporations who, in many cases, are the buyers of the energy. And it will bring companies to Pennsylvania who are looking for renewable energy,' Cohen said. But David Taylor, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association, said the state's retail choice energy structure has been a success, with electricity prices decreasing significantly since the industry was deregulated in 2005. In the 15 years that followed, greenhouse gas emissions from power generation decreased by more than 44%, Taylor said. Shapiro's plan would tamper with that success by placing mandates on the energy industry, forcing the early retirement of reliable generation assets such as natural gas and coal and replace them with what he said were problematic technologies, he said. 'To be clear, this is not an evolution of policy. It's a revolutionary disruption that would dismantle our competitive electricity markets and replace them with government mandates that distort supply, limit choice and raise costs,' Taylor said. The RESET Board would streamline the process for building energy projects by speeding permits and reducing red tape. Pennsylvania is one of only 12 states without a state entity to handle siting decisions for major energy projects, according to Shapiro's office. Solar and wind would require the development of millions of acres of open land, create waste as technology becomes obsolete and put the United States at the mercy of nations such as China that dominate the production of rare earth elements needed for batteries, Taylor claimed. Although Pennsylvania ranks near the bottom among the states in energy from wind, solar and geothermal sources, according to a PennEnvironment analysis of U.S. Energy Information Administration data, the goal of 35% renewable energy includes nuclear and is lower than that of neighboring states. New Jersey, for example, has a goal of 50% renewable energy by 2030. Taylor said he also opposes Shapiro's plan to offer tax credits for renewable energy projects. 'Every time that the word incentive is used, I hear distortion. You are taking money from the taxpayers and essentially using it to bribe people to make choices that they would not otherwise make. And those things are fundamentally unhealthy for our economy,' Taylor said. Rep. Thomas Mehaffie (R-Dauphin) said the unprecedented growth in demand means it's crucial that the commonwealth act to speed development of all energy sources. Mehaffie recalled his sponsorship in 2019 of legislation to update the then-15-year-old precursor to PRESS, the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards, when 'a big fight over a bunch of industries wanting more and more' resulted in inaction. There's no more time to fight, he said. 'Five years ago, we sounded this alarm, and no one did anything … if we continue to stick our head in the sand and do nothing, guess what's going to happen? Nothing,' Mehaffie said. 'And I'll tell you, what's going to happen is we're not going to have power on the grid.'
