Gov. Murphy joins bipartisan governors’ push for PJM reforms to cut costs, improve grid reliability
TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Phil Murphy has joined a coalition of bipartisan governors from across the PJM region to form the PJM Governors’ Collaborative, an initiative aimed at giving states and consumers a stronger voice in grid operator decisions to address rising electricity costs and reliability concerns.
The announcement follows Monday’s first-ever technical conference of governors from the 13 states within PJM, held in Philadelphia, where leaders pressed for reforms to an aging system they say has failed to keep up with the region’s needs.
“We need to build a system that is fairer and more transparent for the people we serve, and the states that represent them,” Murphy said in a message to attendees. “I’m glad to see our region coming together across party lines to demand better.”
Murphy and fellow governors highlighted what they called PJM’s “minimal response” to recent double-digit electricity rate hikes and laid out demands for drastic reforms. Their priorities include increasing state involvement, improving load forecasting, exploring interregional transmission, reforming the capacity market to incentivize new generation, and clearing a backlog of shovel-ready clean energy projects.
“For nearly a century, Pennsylvanians have trusted PJM to keep the lights on,” said Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. “But PJM has been too slow to bring new generation online and too quick to saddle families with higher bills. It’s not working anymore – and it’s time to get serious about reform. If PJM won’t move fast enough, Pennsylvania and our partner states are prepared to chart a new course in the interest of hard-working families we represent. The PJM Governors’ Collaborative will create a forum for the states to discuss the issues most impacting consumers and put forth a united voice when navigating these critical discussions.”
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said his state’s families and businesses are being squeezed by steep rate hikes. “As Maryland families see double-digit rate increases and Maryland businesses see the ability to compete threatened by rising energy expenses, we are calling for increased transparency and accountability to improve the grid and lower costs for our citizens,” he said. “I am proud to stand with my fellow governors and we will continue in this fight for a grid that is safe, reliable, and affordable.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker added that PJM has operated too long without enough state input. “For far too long, PJM has made decisions with minimal input from the states, leaving families and businesses to bear skyrocketing energy costs and rising reliability risks,” he said. “I’m proud to join this bipartisan collective to ensure states have a meaningful voice in shaping the region’s energy future. Together, we’re sending a clear message that PJM must prioritize affordability, reliability, and accountability for the people it serves.”
In addition to Murphy, governors from Delaware, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, Michigan, North Carolina, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Maryland signed onto the collaborative’s Statement of Intent. The document commits states to strategize jointly, coordinate engagement with PJM and federal regulators, and align efforts to maximize impact.
Murphy has been vocal about PJM’s lack of transparency and previously worked with regional governors to secure a temporary capacity market cap that helped blunt steep summer price hikes. He has also pressed for PJM to appoint bipartisan leaders who reflect state and consumer interests.
