Ahead of his budget address next week, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced his vision for energy policy this year.

Shapiro is calling his proposal the “Lightning Plan". It has 6 different policy suggestions. These range from making energy affordable in rural areas to giving tax credits to new energy companies building projects in the state. One of the newer policies in the plan is to create a RESET board, which would help find real estate for new energy projects.

"We need more generation here in Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said. "Without action from our legislature, Pennsylvania can't fully capitalize on our strong position that other states are moving on and trying to catch up to us on."

A few of the other policies, like creating a carbon tax or setting a goal of having 35% renewable or alternative energy by 2035, are policies being carried forward from last year.

The plan has received praise...

“Governor Shapiro is rightly focused on energy costs and clean energy investments that will save ratepayers in the long run,” said Morgan Pinnell, Mid-Atlantic Policy Director for Advanced Energy United.

and raised concerns.

"The governor’s Lightning Plan includes important measures, such as tax incentives and permitting improvements, that can help attract private-sector investment—however, a carbon tax would undermine these efforts by discouraging reliable energy production, eliminating jobs, and driving up costs for families and businesses,” said Luke Bernstein, president of PA Chamber.

To read all the points of the plan, click here for the press release.