Alaska’s energy challenges require a national response

Alaska energy modernization should be treated as a national infrastructure priority, writes Northwest Public Power Association CEO Kurt Miller.

By Kurt Miller • April 22, 2026

New England states urge FERC to advance $1.5B in ratepayer refunds

Governors and utility regulators asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to dismiss a request by Eversource and Avangrid to stay the refund order while a court weighs an appeal. The dispute has already spawned 15 years of litigation. 

By Ethan Howland • April 21, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

La Plata Electric CEO: Why Western utilities are moving toward regional markets

Following its transition into the Southwest Power Pool, LPEA expects an immediate reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of roughly 20%, along with reduced wholesale power costs, writes Chris Hansen.

By Chris Hansen • April 20, 2026

MISO expects load to jump 35% by 2035 on data center growth

However, data center development plans "widen uncertainty" in the long-term outlook, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator cautioned. Utilities need more dynamic planning models to cope, Stephanie Chesnick Cutter of EY told Utility Dive.

By Ethan Howland • April 20, 2026

The grid is under pressure from two directions. Your customers own the answer.

AI is straining the bulk system. EVs are stressing local feeders. Flexibility can solve both.

April 20, 2026

Congress presses DOE’s Wright on Energy Star, permitting reform

Energy Secretary Chris Wright didn’t offer plans for DOE’s full takeover of the Energy Star program. He agreed to work with Congress on methane rules and permitting reform.

By Diana DiGangi • April 17, 2026

FERC tees up June decision on data center interconnection reform

Other open meeting takeaways: Chairman Swett is “perplexed” on PJM backstop auction; the agency rejected a renewable developer’s $44-million waiver request; and zombie dockets die.

By Ethan Howland • April 17, 2026

ERCOT says Texas demand could quadruple but cautions forecast may be inflated

The forecast is “preliminary,” said grid officials, who may request changes to the analysis. It is based on ERCOT forecasting, as well as utilities working directly with large load customers.

By Robert Walton • April 16, 2026

An outdated FERC policy is undermining the White House’s ratepayer protection pledge

FERC should revisit its transmission pricing policy and require utilities to assign the full costs of service to power-hungry data centers, writes Harvard’s Ari Peskoe.

By Ari Peskoe • April 15, 2026

Colorado legislature sends ‘advanced transmission technology’ bill to governor

The bill requires Xcel Energy, Black Hills and Tri-State to assess the potential for grid-enhancing technologies to bolster the bulk power system, reduce wildfires and increase interstate power flows. Other states are following suit.

By Ethan Howland • April 15, 2026

Utility investment plans jump 21%, further threatening affordability: PowerLines

“It’s like a gold rush,” said Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Executive Director Stephen Smith. Utilities are proposing investments to meet load growth that at times is “pure speculation,” he said.

By Robert Walton • April 15, 2026

FERC approves market rules for Champlain Hudson transmission project

The $6-billion, 1,250-MW merchant transmission line is set to begin delivering hydropower from Canada to New York City in May. FERC’s decision will allow NYISO to integrate the project’s physical reservation model with the ISO’s financial reservation system.

By Meris Lutz , Ethan Howland • April 14, 2026

The need for speed: FERC must exempt transmission projects from regulatory bottlenecks

Order 1000 has failed to deliver savings and has instead driven higher costs for customers, writes Purvi Patel at ITC Holdings.

By Purvi Patel • April 14, 2026

Quantum computers will change energy

A memo from 2032, after the global realization of the technology's potential has spurred billions of investment.

By Aaron Foyer, Director of Research • April 13, 2026

As EV load grows, utilities use managed charging to harness flexibility, lower costs

Active managed charging can delay costly system upgrades while saving individual customers money on their bills, utilities, automakers and aggregators say, but a lack of standardized data-sharing is slowing adoption.

By Herman K. Trabish • Updated April 10, 2026

States are already working on solutions to large-load challenges

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has never regulated retail load interconnections before and should leave it to the states, who have done it for decades, writes former FERC Chairman Mark Christie.

By Mark Christie • April 9, 2026

Entergy, Xcel, others seek to upend competitive transmission bidding in MISO, SPP

Ending competition for regional transmission would be “counterproductive and not in the interest of consumers,” former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Neil Chatterjee told Utility Dive.

By Ethan Howland • April 9, 2026

Virginia grid utilization bill set to become law

A growing body of research suggests increased grid utilization has broad benefits for utilities and customers, but experts say advanced metering technology is needed to unlock its full potential.

By Brian Martucci • April 8, 2026

Turning the AC-DC switch: A legacy technology has reached its limits.

AC is no longer the preferred current for many applications. A transition is underway, but it calls for new technology to be deliberately deployed, writes Shaun Walsh at Peak Nano.

By Shaun Walsh • April 7, 2026

Eversource, Avangrid ask FERC to stay $1.5B refund decision

The utility companies asked the agency to put a hold on a recent return on equity decision, saying consumers could be hurt by “rate whiplash” if the refunds are overturned in court.

By Ethan Howland • April 7, 2026

Nevada PUC approves NV Energy plan to join day-ahead market

The decision comes as markets are expanding in the West, with utilities opting between ones run by the California Independent System Operator and the Southwest Power Pool.

By Ethan Howland • April 6, 2026

State utility laws are the primary barrier to Trump’s AI ratepayer protection pledge

The best way to leverage the pledge’s supply commitment is to accelerate the nationwide momentum to give business customers retail choice, write Devin Hartman and Kent Chandler of the R Street Institute.

By Devin Hartman and Kent Chandler • April 3, 2026

National Grid, GridCARE partnership could cut ‘time to power’ for large loads in New York

The initiative aims to boost grid utilization and keep bills in check in a region that has drawn high-profile data center and advanced manufacturing projects.

By Brian Martucci • April 1, 2026

Expect retail electricity prices to rise further: LBNL/Brattle

Record investor-owned utility rate increase requests and approvals last year “suggest additional near-term price increases absent policy/market actions,” according to an analysis.

By Robert Walton • April 1, 2026

PECO seeks $429M rate hike, partly to reduce power outages

PECO’s capital expenditure to net plant ratio is higher than that of 16 peer utilities, indicating a higher risk level, said a Brattle Group representative who testified in support of the rate request.

By Ethan Howland • April 1, 2026