Efficiency first: A fast track to capacity in the era of hyperscalers

Prioritizing demand-side management before committing billions to new infrastructure mitigates risks for utilities and their customers, according to a pair of efficiency experts.

By Paige Knutsen and Erin Kempster • Feb. 27, 2026

PSEG sees investment opportunity as NJ eyes adding in-state generation

A bill was introduced this week in the New Jersey Legislature that would require a solicitation for gas-fired generation.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 27, 2026

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Cybersecurity of the Grid

In addition to presenting opportunities for growth, AI is exacerbating cyber threats with more sophisticated malware that is easier than ever to build and deploy. The rise of distributed energy resources also creates more opportunities for attack. 

By Utility Dive staff

House passes bills to weaken DOE’s appliance efficiency program, repeal home rebates

Consumer advocates lamented the votes. “Efficiency rules are incredibly popular because they save families money on their utility bills,” said Dylan Jaff at Consumer Reports.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 26, 2026

More interregional transmission could save consumers billions: study

However, East Coast generators would see reduced revenue, giving them an incentive to oppose new transmission lines, researchers said.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 26, 2026

PJM proposes behind-the-meter reforms in data center colocation effort

The planned reform threatens the economic viability of new combined heat and power generation at industrial facilities in the PJM Interconnection, according to trade groups.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 24, 2026

The false promise of cheap and reliable coal

Colorado’s youngest coal-fired generating unit will not produce power, or savings, anytime soon. The problems with Comanche Unit 3 highlight the hazards of relying on coal, write clean energy advocates Anna Adamsson and Leslie Glustrom.

By Anna Adamsson and Leslie Glustrom • Feb. 24, 2026

The electricity paradox: Driving affordability means infrastructure investment

Energy abundance, AI competitiveness and consumer affordability are not in conflict, but the power sector needs to show that growth can lower bills, not raise them, write Ray Gifford and Matt Larson from Wilkinson Barker Knauer. 

By Ray Gifford and Matt Larson • Feb. 23, 2026

New Jersey regulators take first step to reform electric utility business model

Performance-based ratemaking, multiyear rate plans and lower utility returns are all options the Board of Public Utilities plans to consider. It recently approved hiring a consultant to assist a potential overhaul.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 23, 2026

States sue Energy Department for terminating $8B in clean energy funding

The Trump administration unlawfully bypassed Congress and made politically motivated cuts to programs created through the IRA and IIJA, the lawsuit claims.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Feb. 20, 2026

The ghosts of nuclear past, present, and future: Can you tell them apart?

There’s a lot of chatter about nuclear energy these days, but we need to sort the category to make sense of what is feasible, writes University of Oregon Professor of Practice Joshua Skov.

By Joshua Skov • Feb. 20, 2026

DOE ‘emergency’ power plant orders help grid reliability: NERC official

However, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator's reliability remains at “high risk,” NERC’s John Moura said, and it's unclear whether its fast-track interconnection process will help.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 20, 2026

Health, environmental groups sue EPA over repeal of endangerment finding

California will challenge EPA’s “endangerment finding” repeal in court. The U.S. Conference of Mayors pledges to "fight for policy that addresses climate change with the seriousness that it requires."

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Feb. 19, 2026

VPP vs. VPP: Customer-owned DER aggregators challenge Xcel-owned batteries in Minnesota docket

The Minnesota decision could affect how regulators see virtual power plants nationwide.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 19, 2026

Improve transmission affordability by mending the regulatory gap

A two-pronged approach to planning could target inefficient spending while also spurring investments that promote beneficial transmission, writes Advanced Energy United’s Alex Lawton.

By Alex Lawton • Feb. 19, 2026

Southeast utilities lag national efficiency averages despite ‘low-hanging fruit’: SACE

In its latest regional efficiency report, the environmental group recommends targeted weatherization, stronger oversight and an end to broad industrial efficiency exemptions.

By Brian Martucci • Feb. 18, 2026

City’s adoption of efficiency metric signals less reliance on third-party building certifications

Developers could still use LEED or other certifications to meet green building goals in Alexandria, Virginia, but the energy use intensity metric gives them an option just focused on efficiency.

By Robert Freedman • Feb. 18, 2026

Efficiency, demand flexibility can meet growing data center loads — and do so cheaply: ACEEE

Large utility programs provide energy efficiency for about $21/MWh, while new combined-cycle gas plants cost at least twice that, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy said.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 18, 2026

The rate case for grid resilience: Why climate change isn’t just about storms

Utilities that delay resilience investments hoping that global climate mitigation efforts will reduce the need for local hardening are taking a dangerous gamble, writes Kai Karlstrom, director of solutions engineering at Repath.

By Kai Karlstrom • Feb. 13, 2026

300-MW Ameren fast-track project hits snag on DOE transmission funding uncertainty

It’s unclear if the U.S. Department of Energy will help fund a set of 345-kV projects in the Great Plains region, leaving Ameren Missouri in doubt about potential interconnection costs for its project.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 12, 2026

New Mexico VPP bill would allow third-party aggregators to participate

If the bill becomes law, the state’s three investor-owned utilities would need to offset 15% of peak demand and allow customers to lock in rates for five years.

By Brian Martucci • Updated Feb. 12, 2026

Electrification is outpacing investment. A federal trust fund could close the gap.

A federal trust fund for energy infrastructure could facilitate grid expansion and maintenance, writes Zane Kinsky, a Clean Energy Leadership Institute 2025 Fellow.

By Zane Kinsky • Feb. 11, 2026

FERC rejects AEP request to sell capacity in upcoming auction

Critics argued AEP utilities were trying to offload capacity they acquired to serve data centers that didn’t materialize. FERC appeared to echo that rationale, saying AEP’s “problem” is simply excess capacity resulting from “its own business decisions.”

By Ethan Howland • Updated Feb. 11, 2026

CAISO shifts transmission focus to reliability to meet peak demand growth

The California Independent System Operator detailed this shift in a report prepared for the governor and legislature as part of preparations for launching a new Western regional organization to oversee electricity markets.

By Diana DiGangi • Feb. 10, 2026

EPA extends coal ash landfill monitoring, cleanup deadlines

The Environmental Protection Agency’s action is part of a broad push by the Trump administration to support fossil-fueled power plants.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 10, 2026

Congressional ‘grid reliability’ bill is like duct tape on a cracked dam

Propping up expensive, dirty power plants threatens consumers with higher prices while punting systemic solutions further into the future, write colleagues from Energy Innovation.

By Mike O’Boyle and Silvio Marcacci • Feb. 9, 2026