Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania said he would scrutinize new utility requests to raise power rates and urged the companies to consider tapping funds from the Trump Energy Department to help keep costs down.
Shapiro laid out three “benchmarks” in a letter to “utility leaders” about how his administration would examine requests for rate hikes, part of his effort to address the affordability concerns that have emerged as a key factor in electoral races across the country this year.
Although rate filings are overseen by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and not the governor, Shapiro, a potential Democratic presidential candidate who is running for reelection, has made electricity costs a central focus and has put pressure on the state’s grid operator and utilities over recent increases.
“Let me be clear: my Administration and I will vocally and forcefully oppose rate case requests from utilities that fail to adhere to these three commonsense practices,” Shapiro wrote.
