Transmission & Distribution

  • U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    The week in 5 numbers: DOE slashes clean energy funding following coal ‘investment’

    Plus PJM’s data center woes, record storage deployment and new generation additions.

    By • Oct. 3, 2025
  • The Texas Public Utility Commission meets on Aug. 21, 2025.
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    Retrieved from Public Utilities Commission of Texas.
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    Texas PUC approves Entergy’s 500-kV SETEX transmission project

    The Public Utility Commission also selected six projects to receive $381 million from the Texas Energy Fund's Outside ERCOT Grant Program.

    By • Oct. 3, 2025
  • Major Cluster Of Data Centers Inhabit Northern Virginia Explore the Trendline➔
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    Nathan Howard/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Electricity Supply and Demand

    After nearly two decades of flat demand, U.S. electricity consumption reached an all-time high in 2024 and is expected to continue rising. This trendline brings together the best of Utility Dive’s coverage of emerging trends in supply and demand and the decisions being made today that will impact the power system for years to come. 

    By Utility Dive staff
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    Permission granted by PJM Interconnection
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    Opinion

    State frameworks are critical to addressing PJM affordability

    Affordability concerns have risen in the PJM sphere due to “tightening supply and demand,” writes Senior Vice President Asim Haque. Supply has left the system due primarily to state policy and federal rules, he says.

    By Asim Haque • Oct. 2, 2025
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Utility conferences to watch in 2026

    See our annual list of notable power-sector conferences where industry leaders will share knowledge in a rapidly-changing landscape. 

    By • Oct. 1, 2025
  • A construction crew works on a building.
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    Nathan Howard via Getty Images
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    Customers in 7 PJM states paid $4.4B for data center transmission in 2024: report

    Transmission lines built for data centers fall into a "regulatory gap,” with utility customers on the hook for the costs, the Union of Concerned Scientists said.

    By • Oct. 1, 2025
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    John Lamparski via Getty Images
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    Democratic House bill would reverse Trump energy policies, bolster RTO oversight

    The Trump administration is driving up the cost of electricity by creating barriers to clean energy investment to support higher-cost fossil fuel sectors, Rep. Sean Casten said.

    By • Sept. 30, 2025
  • Electric transmission lines crossing Colorado's Eagles Nest Wilderness.
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    Opinion

    Á la carte energy market will give Western states choice, flexibility and reliability

    The new Regional Organization for Western Energy will offer affordable, reliable energy services, and states can take what they need, writes Advanced Energy United’s Brian Turner.

    By Brian Turner • Sept. 26, 2025
  • FERC Commissioner Judy Chang speaks at the commission's July 2025 open meeting.
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    Retrieved from Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
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    Opinion

    It’s all one system: Integrate transmission and interconnection planning to support load growth

    Maintaining disparate planning processes for the wires needed to deliver power increases costs and delays, writes FERC Commissioner Judy Chang.

    By Judy W. Chang, Steven Wellner and Kathleen Ratcliff • Sept. 26, 2025
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    Marc Piscotty via Getty Images
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    This week in 5 numbers: Rising demand, rising rates

    A wildfire settlement and lengthy transmission timelines are also among the notable numbers in the electric utility sector this week.

    By • Sept. 26, 2025
  • Electric power lines crossing a green field.
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    Getty Images
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    ERCOT launches grid transformation research initiative

    “We are seeing greater interest from industry and academia to collaborate on new tools and innovative technologies,” said ERCOT President and CEO Pablo Vegas.

    By • Sept. 26, 2025
  • Siemens HVDC converter station
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    Permission granted by Siemens Energy
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    2.1-GW SOO Green transmission project advances with Iowa agreement

    The project developers aim to bring low-cost clean energy from the Midcontinent Independent System Operator into the PJM Interconnection while bolstering grid reliability.

    By • Sept. 25, 2025
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    Retrieved from Summit on the State of PJM Interconnection.
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    PJM CEO Asthana responds to criticism, says states must address supply challenges

    “If our [power] plants run into a hostile siting and permitting regime, they will not get built,” PJM President and CEO Manu Asthana said.

    By • Sept. 24, 2025
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Analysts see possible early signs of demand growth in EIA’s latest update

    Total net electricity generation and retail sales were up 3.8% and 2.6%, respectively, this July compared with the same month last year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. 

    By • Sept. 24, 2025
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    Courtesy of Pennsylvania governor's office
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    States threaten to leave PJM without expanded role in grid operator

    “If PJM refuses to change, we will be forced to go in a different direction,” said Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat.

    By • Sept. 23, 2025
  • An electric power plant with cooling towers and smoke stacks.
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    The image by Analogue Kid is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Utilities are backtracking on climate commitments: Sierra Club

    The report named six utility companies reversing course on emissions reductions: Entergy, Duke Energy, Evergy, Cleco, American Electric Power and Arizona Public Service.

    By • Updated Sept. 23, 2025
  • Electric transmission lines run through the woods.
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    Getty Images
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    FERC orders New England transmission owners to give more info on upgrade projects

    The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission also advanced reliability standards and rules on Southwest Power Pool refunds at its open meeting on Thursday.

    By • Sept. 19, 2025
  • A man stands in front of a U.S. flag and a flag that says Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
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    Retrieved from Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
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    New FERC Chairman Rosner outlines priorities: ‘We need to build, build, build.’

    At the agency's open meeting, Commissioner Lindsay See highlighted the tension between issuing orders swiftly and ensuring those decisions are “worth their weight” in court.

    By • Sept. 19, 2025
  • Natural gas pipeline being laid.
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    Opinion

    Keeping America’s lights on: a pragmatic path forward

    Policymakers have a vital role in ensuring that a lack of energy does not become America’s Achilles’ heel.

    By Brigham McCown • Sept. 18, 2025
  • Power lines in the Florida Everglades.
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    Getty Images
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    Bipartisan House group releases permitting reform ‘framework’

    This and other permitting reform efforts — supported by groups like the Edison Electric Institute — come amid rising electric demand and increasing electricity bills.

    By • Sept. 18, 2025
  • Rooftop solar panels installed on a suburban home, with a neighborhood full of houses and mountains in the background under a sunny sky.
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    Alamy
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    Regulators approve demand charge, net metering changes for NV Energy

    Consumer advocates say the changes will worsen energy affordability issues in Nevada and make NV Energy’s solar net metering program less effective for customers.

    By • Sept. 18, 2025
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    Getty Images
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    Southwest Power Pool approves accelerated large load interconnection policy

    The process aims to help the operator address a near-doubling of peak load expected in the next 10 years.

    By • Sept. 17, 2025
  • Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes speaks on November 2, 2024.
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    Mario Tama/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Arizona AG opposes APS’ 14% rate hike, says she may seek lower rates

    If approved by state utility regulators, the rate increase would be the fourth in a decade for Arizona Public Service.

    By • Sept. 16, 2025
  • Panelists speak Sept. 10, 2025, at a House Committee on Natural Resources panel on reforming the National Environmental Policy Act.
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    Retrieved from House Committee on Natural Resources.
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    Bipartisan NEPA reform proposal gets electric utilities’ support

    The Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act would shorten permitting timelines and establish judicial review limitations.

    By • Sept. 15, 2025
  • Rooftop solar panels installed on a suburban home, with a neighborhood full of houses and mountains in the background under a sunny sky.
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    Alamy
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    Opinion

    The hidden cost of ambiguous energy software terminology

    Adapting the electric grid to load growth and DER adoption will require a mutual understanding of software requirements, capabilities and outcomes among stakeholders.

    By Sneha Vasudevan • Sept. 15, 2025
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    Permission granted by Champion Fiberglass®
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    Sponsored by Champion Fiberglass®

    Choosing the right electrical conduit for underground transmission and distribution utility projects

    Cut costs and speed up installs—fiberglass elbows solve key utility conduit challenges.

    By Scott Patchan • Sept. 15, 2025