Scenario: Fields

“If you build it, they will come.” — Field of Dreams

Fields is a scenario in which economic strategy takes precedence over energy strategy until the need for cooperation in creating greener fields becomes apparent.

2025-2030: Choosing growth

• Energy demand grows rapidly due to AI and a retreat from globalization, with natural gas as a primary source for powering industrial growth.
• Pennsylvania adopts pro-business policies to fuel economic growth, boosting its natural gas industry while sidestepping federal efforts on emissions reduction and energy innovation.

2030-2040: A winner in many fields

• Pennsylvania attracts young workers and businesses through its energy-driven growth, becoming a key supplier of electricity in the PJM region.
• Streamlined permitting and centralized decision-making help the state scale its energy production, while clean energy demands increase as businesses settle in.

2040-2045: The rise of alternative voices

• Rural communities feel neglected amid urban-focused growth policies, while growing gaps between the rich and poor and rising climate challenges spark dissent.
• Energy policy fails to address carbon reduction effectively, with climate change impacts like flooding and power blackouts highlighting the state’s lack of preparedness.

2045-2050: The growth of green fields 

• Economic arguments for addressing climate change gain traction, with businesses and government recognizing the need for a more sustainable energy transition.
• Leveraging its flexible policy framework, Pennsylvania accelerates the adoption of green technologies, including renewable energy and next-generation nuclear, alongside investments in workforce training and CO2 infrastructure.