TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and eight other governors from both parties are urging PJM Interconnection, the grid operator for 13 states and Washington, D.C., to implement major governance reforms and appoint new leadership to improve transparency, accountability, and long-term energy planning.
In a letter sent this week to PJM, the governors called for structural changes, including a more inclusive board selection process and the appointment of a bipartisan slate of candidates, following recent leadership turnover at the organization. Two longstanding board members were recently removed, and the current CEO is expected to step down.
The letter was signed by governors from Maryland, Virginia, Michigan, Illinois, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Tennessee, alongside Murphy. The group cited rising energy costs, reliability concerns, and the need for better state representation in PJM decision-making as key drivers for reform.
“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,” Murphy said. “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.”
Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland emphasized the economic stakes, saying PJM’s current management structure presents a threat to energy affordability. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro added that grid modernization must keep pace with economic growth and called for “real grid reforms that allow our region to compete at the speed of business.”
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, called the proposal “an important step in giving states a seat at the table,” while Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said a bipartisan approach is essential to ensuring reliable and affordable power.
The governors asked that at least two open board seats be filled by candidates nominated collectively by the states, arguing that such representation would improve transparency and restore public trust. Though final board appointments are decided by PJM members, the governors said state input would better align PJM decisions with residents’ needs.
The letter also announced plans to form a PJM Governors Group, a multistate body intended to help guide future decisions on energy transmission, resource adequacy, and market governance.
The call for reform comes amid rising electricity demand and persistent delays in connecting new energy sources to the PJM grid. Governors noted that these issues have contributed to increased prices, job losses, and missed investment opportunities throughout the region.
The states are scheduled to meet with PJM next week to review board nominations and further discuss reforms. PJM manages the electric grid for over 67 million people across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions.
