Lawmakers press PJM on 'phantom' data‑center load, forecasting and transmission delays
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Summary
Delegates questioned PJM about phantom load from data centers, forecast accuracy, the interconnection queue and slow transmission siting; PJM said it will tighten forecasts, use outside vendors and ask state PSCs to review state forecasts, while warning Eastern Shore transmission remains constrained.
During a roughly 20‑minute question period, multiple members of the Environment and Transportation Committee pressed PJM on specific reliability drivers and state levers.
Delegate Baylor asked how PJM certifies data‑center load projections and noted PJM recently trimmed projections by about 4 gigawatts; Stanek replied PJM is implementing tighter data requests, hiring outside vendors and asking state Public Service Commissions to review forecasts to better detect duplicate or speculative filings.
Delegate Doug Fisher Falgo asked about last year’s expedited CPCN (certificate of public convenience and necessity) process and whether it is easing project timelines. Stanek said the PSC’s expedited process is helping some projects (notably community solar) but that many transmission projects cannot use expedited tracks. He cited the Piedmont Reliability Project, saying PJM has urged an expedited CPCN to have that line in service by June 1, 2027, warning of “substantial potential for blackouts” if it is not developed.
Doug Jacobs asked specifically about the Eastern Shore, where Stanek said the grid is more fragile, developers face litigation and the question of who pays interconnection costs remains unresolved; PJM currently has no major approved transmission line proposals for the Eastern Shore.
On forecasting accuracy, Delegate Stein asked whether chip‑manufacturing bottlenecks (needed for servers) factor into PJM forecasts; Stanek said supply‑chain realities and component availability will be considered in forecasting scenarios to avoid overcounting infeasible data‑center builds.
Dr. Grama noted roughly 98% of projects in the PJM queue are renewable (solar, battery, wind); Stanek confirmed that the vast majority of pipeline projects are clean energy, which presents the dual challenge of integrating intermittent resources while also addressing transmission and capacity needs.
No formal actions were taken during the Q&A; members indicated they would continue follow‑up and take some questions offline. PJM offered to be a technical resource as lawmakers and the PSC consider permitting, procurement and cost‑allocation options.