Letter to the editor: Power plants and energy costs

Regarding the article “Facing competition from Big Tech, states dangle incentives and loosen laws to attract power plants” (March 9, TribLive): Gov. Josh Shapiro’s push for new power plants to meet growing energy demands glosses over an important detail: the cost of expanding liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.

While companies stand to profit from increased LNG exports, a December 2024 Department of Energy study shows increased LNG exports will raise natural gas prices for American families, which directly contradicts the goal of affordable power for Pennsylvanians. Boosting LNG exports also means more fracking, increased pipeline construction, and increased health risks in communities already burdened by the oil and gas industry. Additionally, global LNG markets are expected to face oversupply by the decade’s end and LNG’s greenhouse gas footprint is 33% worse than coal’s.

Before fast-tracking new power plants and further incentivizing the gas industry, we should carefully consider the long-term costs to Pennsylvania residents. Smart energy policy means balancing economic development with responsible resource management, not simply rubber-stamping fossil-fuel expansion.

Katie Jones

Millvale

The writer is Ohio River Valley coordinator for the FracTracker Alliance.