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Public Utility Commission Urges Consumers To Prepare For Extreme Cold

On January 17, the Public Utility Commission alerted consumers across the Commonwealth about the forecast of extremely cold temperatures for early next week, which is expected to drive up peak demand for electricity and natural gas.

The PUC is closely coordinating efforts with the regional electric grid operator PJM Interconnection, as well as local electric and natural gas utility operators across Pennsylvania, to ensure that systems remain reliable during this cold snap.

“The relatively mild weekend conditions may conceal the extremely cold weather expected to hit Pennsylvania early next week – leaving some consumers surprised and potentially unprepared,” said PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank. “We are working around the clock with PJM and all of our utilities to ensure that everyone is fully prepared for the higher stress on energy delivery systems. We want to make sure that Pennsylvania families and businesses stay warm and safe over the long holiday weekend and into the early part of next week.”

“Similar To Winter Storm Elliott”

“In many respects, this situation feels similar to Winter Storm Elliott in 2022, when bitter cold temperatures stretched the energy grid to extremes,” Chairman DeFrank added. “Fortunately, this time we have more time to prepare, and our lines of communication with PJM and the utilities are open and active. We are ready to implement voluntary conservation steps, if needed, and are prepared for any additional directives from PJM.”

[Editor’s Note: During Winter Storm Elliott PJM Interconnection reported 70% of the electric generation plant outages that failed to bring power to the electric grid were natural gas-fired power plants that brought PJM to the brink of rolling blackouts. Read more here.

[While some improvements have been made to natural gas infrastructure to better withstand extreme weather conditions, in November the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s Winter Reliability Assessment said natural gas electric generation “is threatened this winter by ongoing concerns with natural gas production and delivery in extreme conditions.” Read more here.

[PJM announced January 17 it is working with natural gas-fired power plants to try to get them online before the extreme cold hits. Read more here.

[During extreme cold in December 2022 other parts of natural gas infrastructure experienced significant problems--

-- Energy Transfer Revolution Cryogenic Natural Gas Processing Plant experienced a Christmas Day explosion in Smith Township, Washington County Read more here.;

-- Hyperion Midstream (Olympus Energy) a section of natural gas pipeline under construction broke free from cribbing, slid down a hill and crashed into and through a home in Allegheny Township, Westmoreland County Read more here.

-- MarkWest Liberty Midstream & Resources LLC pipeline compressor stations experienced a spill of an estimated 10,000 gallons of natural gas condensate in Robinson Township, Washington County Read more here.;

-- CNX Oak Springs Natural Gas Pipeline Pigging Station had a release of 1.1 million cubic feet of natural gas in South Franklin Township, Washington County Read more here.]

Close Coordination and Preparations Underway

The PUC is working closely with local utilities, PJM and various state agencies to ensure that all parties are prepared for the challenging days ahead.

-- PJM Declaration of Conservation Operations - PJM Interconnection has issued a Declaration of Conservation Operations from Monday, January 20, through Wednesday, January 22, to allow more flexibility to maintain reliability and to ensure that all systems and equipment are ready for the frigid conditions.

-- Utility Actions - Utilities throughout the state are already taking steps to prepare for the added stress on their systems, including:

-- Increased Customer Outreach about conservation, efficiency and service issues.

-- Added Staffing for possible maintenance and repair.

-- Ensuring Equipment and Materials are in stock.

-- Canceling Non-Essential Planned Outages during the event.

-- Monitoring Circuits and Equipment to identify potential issues.

-- Identifying Critical Circuits that support essential facilities (e.g., hospitals).

-- Conducting Additional Leak Surveys for natural gas systems.

-- Preparing Emergency Messaging Systems, in the event they are needed.

PUC Working With State Agencies

The PUC continues to work closely with the Governor’s Office, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Environmental Protection, and other agencies that may be involved in a coordinated response to severe weather-related energy issues.

Tips for Consumers

The PUC urges residents to stay informed and consider simple steps to reduce energy usage when temperatures plunge, such as:

-- Adjust Your Thermostat – Lowering the thermostat a few degrees, especially during times you are away or asleep, can significantly reduce energy consumption.

-- Seal Leaks and Drafts – Use weather stripping, caulk, or door sweeps to block cold drafts and keep warm air indoors.

-- Use Natural Sunlight – Open curtains and blinds on sunny days to let in warmth and close them at night to retain heat.

-- Bundle Up Indoors – Dress in layers and use extra blankets to stay warm without turning up the heat excessively.

-- Maintain Heating Systems – Change furnace filters regularly and schedule maintenance if possible, ensuring systems run efficiently.

-- Unplug and Power Down – Turn off lights and unplug electronics when not in use to conserve electricity.

“Everyone has a role to play in managing energy usage,” Chairman DeFrank noted. “Simple steps can help keep bills manageable, reduce the strain on energy systems, and ensure that critical power remains available to all who need it. Stay tuned for any additional updates or recommendations over the weekend and early next week.”

Stay Informed

The PUC urged consumers to take the following additional steps, to ensure they receive important updates in a timely manner:

-- Follow announcements from your local utility and from the PUC for any changes or updates regarding possible conservation measures.

-- Sign up for alerts and notifications from local weather services, your utility company, PEMA, and local emergency management agencies.

-- Follow your utility, the PUC, and emergency agencies on social media to receive those updates.

-- Check local media and PUC resources over the holiday weekend for any quickly developing updates.

Consumers should also remember that Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 20, is part of the holiday weekend when many households and businesses may alter their normal schedules—an added factor to keep in mind when planning your energy use.

Click Here for the PUC announcement.

Extreme Cold Alert!

-- Public Utility Commission Urges Consumers To Prepare For Extreme Cold Next Week [PaEN]

-- Shapiro Administration Urges Readiness In Advance Of Dangerous Cold Weather

-- PJM Interconnection: New All-Time Peak Electricity Demand Possible Jan. 20-22; PJM Working With Gas Generators To Try To Get Them Online Before Extreme Cold Hits [PaEN]

-- Gov. Shapiro Threatens To Pull Pennsylvania Out Of PJM If It Does Not Protect Consumers Against Soaring Power Prices [PaEN]

Resource Links:

-- 30 Stakeholder Comments Received By PUC On Adequacy Of Electricity Supplies In Pennsylvania; Increasing Natural Gas Power Plant Reliability To 90-95% Would Mean No Imminent Capacity Problem [PaEN]

-- PUC Invites Stakeholder Comments On The Issue Of The Adequacy Of Electricity Supplies In Pennsylvania [Background On Electricity Supply Issue] [PaEN]

-- PUC Urges Natural Gas Customers To Explore Ways To Reduce Heating Costs; All But One Major Gas Utility Has Increased Cost Of Gas In PA [PaEN]

-- PUC: Natural Gas Distribution Companies Prepare For Winter - Gas Consumption Expected To Decrease 1.8%, Cost For Residential Customers To Increase 1% [PaEN]

-- PUC Encourages Consumers To Prepare For Dec. 1 Electricity Price Changes; Rates Will Vary From 8.4% Decrease To 31.2% Increase [PaEN]

-- Utility Dive: North American Electric Reliability Corp: Natural Gas Electric Generation Is Threatened This Winter By Ongoing Concerns About Gas Production, Delivery In Extreme Weather Conditions [PaEN]

-- PJM Interconnection Winter Outlook: Adequate Power Supplies Available Under Normal Conditions; PJM Delays Next Power Auction After Prices Spike [PaEN]

-- Pennsylvania’s Electric Grid Is Dependent On One Fuel To Generate 59% Of Our Electricity; Market Moving To Renewables + Storage [PaEN]

PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Jan. 11 to 17 - More Abandoned Shale Gas, Than Conventional Wells So Far In 2025; Failed Act 2 Cleanup; Acid Forming Rock; Expired Permits [PaEN]

-- What The Shale Gas Industry Is Leaving Behind: Diversified Production LLC Starts 2025 With 11 Violations For Abandoning, Not Plugging Shale Gas Wells [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - January 18 [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 107 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In January 18 PA Bulletin [PaEN]

What The Shale Gas, Conventional Oil & Gas Industry Is Leaving Behind:

-- What The Shale Gas Industry Is Leaving Behind: Diversified Production LLC Starts 2025 With 11 Violations For Abandoning, Not Plugging Shale Gas Wells [PaEN]

-- What The Conventional Oil & Gas Industry Is Leaving Behind: Abandoned Conventional Oil & Gas Wells On Federal Lands - Shenango River Lake, Allegheny National Forest [PaEN]

-- What The Shale Gas Industry Is Leaving Behind: DEP: Diversified Production LLC Failed To Plug 2 Abandoned Shale Gas Wells For 42 Months + At Least 9 Other Shale Gas Wells Abandoned [PaEN]

-- What The Shale Gas Industry Is Leaving Behind: DEP: Nucomer Energy LLC Fails To Restore Shale Gas Well Pad, Water Impoundment In Forest County For More Than 12 Years After Drilling Was Completed [PaEN]

-- What The Shale Gas Industry Is Leaving Behind: DEP Issues 10 Violations To Big Dog Energy, LLC, Diversified Production LLC For Abandoning Shale Gas Wells; Violations For Shale Gas Abandonments More Than Doubled In 2024 [PaEN]

Related Articles This Week:

-- Registration Now Open! 2025 Shale Gas & Public Health Conference At Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Online Feb. 27 [PaEN]

-- Rep. Vitali Introduces Bill To Ban Road Dumping Millions Of Gallons Of Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater, Supported By The Shapiro Administration [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Oil & Gas Companies Need Greater Incentives To Cap Their Old Wells [Higher Well Plugging Bonds Needed To Keep Number Of Abandoned Wells From Rising]

-- Rep. Vitali Introduces Bill To Establish DEP Environmental Justice Permit Review Program In Law, Analyze Cumulative Impacts Of Pollution From Facilities, Supported By DEP [PaEN]

-- EPA Issues Permit To Seneca Resources Company For Elk County Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well [PaEN]

-- TECfusions Unveils Massive 1,400-Acre Data Center Project With 3 Gigawatts Of Natural Gas-Fired Power Generation In Westmoreland County [PaEN]

-- 30 Stakeholder Comments Received By PUC On Adequacy Of Electricity Supplies In Pennsylvania; Increasing Natural Gas Power Plant Reliability To 90-95% Would Mean No Imminent Capacity Problem [PaEN]

-- Gov. Shapiro Threatens To Pull Pennsylvania Out Of PJM If It Does Not Protect Consumers Against Soaring Power Prices [PaEN]

-- PUC Commissioner Kathryn Zerfuss Appointed To National Committees On Natural Gas, Pipeline Safety

-- PennTAP: Small & Mid-Size Industries Must Complete An Energy Technical Assessment Report To Be Eligible For RISE PA Decarbonization Grants [PaEN]

-- DEP Hosts Jan. 24 Webinar Q&A On RISE PA Decarbonization Grant Program [PaEN]

-- NASEO Hosts Jan. 27 Webinar On RISE PA Decarbonization Grant Program, PA Energy Programs For Industry [PaEN]

-- PA Solar Center Hosts Jan. 31 Webinar On RISE PA Decarbonization Grant Program For Industry [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- PennLive Letter: There Must Be More Oversight Of Dangerous Fracking Wastewater In PA - By Dr. Robert Little