In 2026, the electric utility sector faces unprecedented load growth that is challenging the physical infrastructure of the grid and the regulatory and market structures that have guided its development for decades.
Federal and state authorities are at odds over who will manage this growth as officials come under pressure over rising costs. At the same time, the Trump administration has moved to exert more direct control over the power system under the banner of “energy dominance.”
The stories in our 2026 outlook series below comprise a road map to the year ahead, including what to expect from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the impacts of new federal policy on renewables and other resources, and technological advances that promise to unlock new efficiencies. We’re tracking the biggest trends rewriting the rules of how the U.S. produces and delivers power heading into what is sure to be a defining year for energy.
