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Letter Proposes Candidates to Fill Current PJM Board Vacancies and Commits States to Further Collaboration Through the Formation of an Interstate Governors Group
TRENTON - On Thursday, Governor Phil Murphy, along with the governors of Maryland, Virginia, Michigan, Illinois, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Tennessee sent a bipartisan letter to PJM Interconnection calling on the grid operator to enact fundamental changes and appoint new leadership to restore confidence in its ability to meet the ongoing energy affordability crisis and resource adequacy demands. The letter reflects the PJM states’ increasing commitment to improving PJM governance and increased representation amid leadership changes at the grid operator.
Following the recent termination of two longstanding Board members and the imminent departure of the CEO, the letter highlights the need for a balanced bipartisan slate of candidates and requests that two Board seats remain dedicated to candidates who are proposed by the states collectively, as PJM decisions directly impact states’ residents. While the Members will ultimately decide who sits on the Board, allowing states to propose candidates would add necessary transparency to the PJM Board’s decision-making process and uplift states’ affordability and reliability priorities.
“I am pleased to continue collaborating with the other states in the PJM region and the growing bipartisan coalition of states demanding long overdue transparency and accountability from PJM Interconnection,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Every decision that is made in Valley Forge drastically impacts us at home. We must ensure that families and business owners have a clean and reliable power grid and don’t have to choose between feeding their families and keeping the lights on.”
"The failure to effectively manage our energy grid is not just an inconvenience—it's a direct threat to our economic competitiveness and the financial well-being of Maryland families," said Governor Wes Moore. "I am proud to stand with this bipartisan group of governors to demand greater accountability and a stronger voice for our states in PJM's decisions. We are committed to building a more reliable, affordable, and cleaner energy future. Together, through this collaboration, we will work to ensure that PJM becomes a partner, not a barrier, in achieving that vision for all our residents."
"Pennsylvania is a national energy leader, and it is critical for PJM to do more to ensure we can continue to deliver for Pennsylvanians and meet our growing energy needs," said Governor Josh Shapiro. "As a bipartisan coalition of Governors, we are standing together to call on PJM to pick thoughtful new Board members who will prioritize our states and the people we serve at the forefront of their work to help us lower costs and ensure our families and businesses have the energy they need. It is long past the time for real grid reforms that allow our region to compete at the speed of business and build a system that delivers affordable, reliable power for the people and businesses PJM serves. I am hopeful that this historic collaboration between the PJM states will provide the opportunity to foster a stronger, collaborative partnership between PJM and the 67 million people it serves to chart a strong energy future together."
“Due to our substantial increase in economic development, Virginia’s energy demand is increasing," said Governor Glenn Youngkin. "The proposal laid out by this bipartisan group of governors is an important step in giving states a seat at the table. It’s critical to ensure PJM understands the energy challenges its member states face and allows states to collaborate and present workable solutions.“
"As governors, we all have a duty to ensure that families in our states have access to reliable power so they can live comfortably, be safe, and spend less,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Republicans and Democrats are coming together to advocate for better, more transparent governance from the PJM board because we deserve a balanced, bipartisan slate of candidates who are focused on affordability and reliability. Right now, we have an opportunity to set ourselves up for success, and I know that we can build a better future where every person has access to quality, affordable energy."
“Illinois has long been a national energy leader and is committed to delivering clean, reliable, and affordable energy to working families and businesses,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “But PJM undermines our efforts and lacks meaningful accountability to the very states it serves. I’m joining Governors from red and blue states to call for reforms that give states a real seat at the table, ensures transparency, and listens to working families and businesses. PJM must evolve and embrace reforms if it is to remain a credible partner and responsible steward for the region.”
“The people of Delaware—and millions of families and businesses across the PJM region—are paying the price for a grid system that’s become less reliable and more expensive,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “It’s time for PJM leadership to put affordability, transparency, and long-term planning front and center. By treating states as more of a partner and giving the people a stronger voice in Board decisions, we can begin to restore public trust, accelerate clean energy deployment, and deliver the reliable service our communities deserve.”
The states are expected to meet with PJM next week to review candidate nominations.
At a time of rapidly rising load growth, PJM's multi-year struggles to efficiently connect new resources to its grid and to engage in effective long-term planning has increased electricity prices for hardworking consumers, compromised overall grid stability, and deprived states of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in investment across the region.
Governors in the PJM region are continuing to organize and work together on improving transmission, resource adequacy, and electricity market governance in the region to preserve the integrity of the grid to deliver safe, clean, affordable, and reliable electricity to every resident. In addition to Board nominations, the letter includes a commitment among PJM states to increase engagement through the formation of an PJM Governors Group to assist PJM in charting a productive path forward on issues in the region.