House Energy Committee advances three bills to bring next-generation energy technologies to the Commonwealth
Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus April 13, 2026 | 4:19 PM
HARRISBURG, April 13 – Today, members of the House Energy Committee voted favorably to report three bills out of committee that would expand energy generation in Pennsylvania and improve grid efficiency.
The bills are:
- Geothermal Energy Development, H.B. 2076.
- Advanced Transmission Technologies (ATTs), H.B. 2223.
- PEDA Modernization, H.B. 2347.
Following a series of public hearings and informational meetings on the Commonwealth’s surging energy needs, state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., chair of the House Energy Committee, convened a voting meeting on these key bills.
House Bill 2076, sponsored by Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, and Rep. Craig Williams, R-Chester, earned bipartisan approval with a vote of 15-11. This bill establishes a regulatory framework for geothermal resource production, which could supply millions of homes and businesses with locally sourced, endlessly renewable energy.
Substantial geothermal potential and a robust skilled workforce generate interest in siting projects in the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania currently lacks a regulatory structure for this type of energy production which drives early investment in pilot projects to neighboring states with greater regulatory certainty.
“We all agree that we need more energy production in Pennsylvania,” said Venkat. “Geothermal energy is a new and important way to add clean, base load energy to our grid. Thank you to Chair Fiedler and bipartisan members of the House Energy Committee for approving H.B. 2076, my legislation with Rep. Williams, to provide a framework for developing geothermal energy in our Commonwealth.”
At a public hearing held in March, testifiers noted that H.B. 2076 is critical to maintain the Commonwealth’s competitive edge for public and private investment in geothermal development.
The committee also approved H.B. 2223 and H.B. 2347, both sponsored by Fiedler.
“Pennsylvania is facing a serious energy crisis as rising demand drives up energy costs for the people back home in our districts: working people, seniors, families and small businesses,” Fiedler said. “I’m pleased to see H.B. 2223 and H.B. 2347 advance to the House chamber because these bills are win-win-wins, which would unlock our electric grid’s capacity, build out new, renewable generation resources, and keep costs manageable for everyday people."
House Bill 2223 would enhance the performance of the electric grid by accelerating the adoption of advanced transmission technologies. These software and hardware components on existing grid infrastructure can be completed for a fraction of the cost of building transmission lines, which utility companies would otherwise pass along to their customers.
The bill would ensure that the Commonwealth can accommodate the interconnection of new generation resources needed to reliably meet soaring demand driven by data center development and the electrification of household appliances.
The bill was reported from committee by a vote of 16 -10, earning bipartisan support.
House Bill 2347 would modernize the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority’s scope and structure to better address PA’s urgent energy development needs. Additionally, the bill changes the authority’s name to the Pennsylvania Energy Financing Authority.
PEDA’s mission is to accelerate the deployment of clean energy and efficiency projects across the Commonwealth. Since PEDA was founded in 1981, the authorizing statute has not been substantially updated. If enacted, H.B. 2347 would expand the types of projects eligible to be financed by PEDA to include new energy generation methods, grid stabilization measures and storage, and grid enhancing technologies.
The measure advanced from committee by a vote of 14-12.
As chair of the House Energy Committee, Fiedler continues to prioritize legislation that attracts innovation and investment in Pennsylvania’s clean energy economy.