Governor Shapiro recently unveiled his ambitious “Lightning Plan,” a strategic initiative designed to solidify Pennsylvania’s role as a leader in the energy sector. The plan aims to accelerate the development of clean energy resources, enhance grid resilience, and create high-quality jobs in renewable energy industries. By leveraging innovative technology and streamlining regulatory processes, the “Lightning Plan” seeks to drive economic growth, ensure affordable and reliable energy for residents, and position the Commonwealth as a national model for energy transition. This panel will dive into the Governor’s strategy to harness the state’s natural resources while accelerating the adoption of renewable energy sources, reducing carbon emissions, and ensuring energy equity for all residents.

With a rapidly evolving energy landscape, Pennsylvania is seeing significant changes driven by clean energy innovation, workforce retraining, and regional economic shifts. This panel will explore the dynamic intersection of economic growth and workforce development within Pennsylvania's energy sector. How can Pennsylvania leverage its diverse energy resources—spanning fossil fuels, renewables, and emerging technologies—to foster job creation, upskilling opportunities, and sustainable economic development. We will address workforce readiness initiatives, the role of education and training programs, the challenges of transitioning workers in traditional energy sectors, and strategies for positioning Pennsylvania as a leader in the evolving energy economy.