PJM Governors meet to contest power grid governance and control

Governors from states served by PJM Interconnection, the largest regional transmission organization in the United States, are meeting in Chicago to discuss governance and control over the power grid. The summit, known as the PJM Governors’ Collaborative, aims to address how much influence state governments should have over decisions that impact electricity costs for millions of residents.

PJM manages the grid for more than 67 million people across 13 states and Washington, D.C. While recent governance changes ordered by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will allow governors' offices to participate in the Organization of PJM States for the first time, critics argue that power companies retain significant control. Under the current plan, PJM members—including power generators and transmission owners—retain final authority on key filings with FERC, and two-thirds of these members must support any state-led proposals.

Spokespeople for Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Pennsylvania state representatives have criticized the structure, suggesting that the companies benefiting from existing rules are effectively approving their own reforms. Todd Snitchler, CEO of the Electric Power Supply Association, noted that regional markets must function for the entire region regardless of state lines.