HARRISBURG — Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Williamsport, chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, announced plans to introduce legislation that would restructure the Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE)Tax Credit to prioritize and incentivize investment in baseload power generation.

“Pennsylvania stands at a critical crossroads,” Yaw said. “Our electric grid is experiencing the most rapid demand in decades, yet we continue to retire reliable power sources faster than we can replace them. By modernizing the EDGE program, we can encourage the development of dispatchable, always-on power sources that are essential for grid stability.”

A recent warning from the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that blackouts could increase nearly 100 times by 2030 if additional reliable power sources are not brought online. Yaw said his proposal responds directly to this risk by bringing Pennsylvania in line with regional transmission organization (RTO) requirements and restoring balance to a grid strained by accelerating demand and lagging infrastructure.

Additionally, Yaw noted recent announcements underscoring Pennsylvania’s ambitions to become a national leader in artificial intelligence (AI). While this vision holds tremendous economic potential, he said, it also brings with it a dramatic surge in electricity demand, as data centers and computing facilities require continuous, uninterrupted energy supply.

By restructuring the EDGE program, Yaw’s bill would give developers the long-term certainty and financial tools needed to invest in energy projects that strengthen grid reliability and help power Pennsylvania’s future.