Pennsylvania’s energy sector is crucial to the state’s economy and to the broader U.S. energy supply, as the commonwealth produces electricity and natural gas that powers not just our homes but homes and businesses elsewhere. The future of that sector was at the forefront of U.S. Senator Dave McCormick’s visit to Beaver County this week. He visited the former site of the Homer Plant, which was once the largest coal-fired plant in the country. It’s currently being turned into the largest natural gas-powered data center in North America. He’s lobbying for legislation called the “Unlock American Energy and Jobs Act of 2026,” which would speed up federal approval for energy projects. McCormick said the bill would set a one-year deadlines for permit reviews, require clear explanations for denials and limit later legal challenges. “It’s trying to make sure there’s a finite period of review, a year, to decide whether a project can move forward based on the law, the Clean Water Act and so forth. If the project is turned down, there has to be a very specific explanation to defend why that’s the case. Third, if a decision is made, then it can’t be adjudicated down the road,” said McCormick. He said the goal is to make it easier to build a range of energy projects, including natural gas, solar and nuclear.
Pennsylvania’s energy sector is crucial to the state’s economy and to the broader U.S. energy supply, as the commonwealth produces electricity and natural gas that powers not just our homes but homes and businesses elsewhere.
The future of that sector was at the forefront of U.S. Senator Dave McCormick’s visit to Beaver County this week.
He visited the former site of the Homer Plant, which was once the largest coal-fired plant in the country.
It’s currently being turned into the largest natural gas-powered data center in North America.
He’s lobbying for legislation called the “Unlock American Energy and Jobs Act of 2026,” which would speed up federal approval for energy projects.
McCormick said the bill would set a one-year deadlines for permit reviews, require clear explanations for denials and limit later legal challenges.
“It’s trying to make sure there’s a finite period of review, a year, to decide whether a project can move forward based on the law, the Clean Water Act and so forth. If the project is turned down, there has to be a very specific explanation to defend why that’s the case. Third, if a decision is made, then it can’t be adjudicated down the road,” said McCormick.
He said the goal is to make it easier to build a range of energy projects, including natural gas, solar and nuclear.