EPA scraps Biden power plant GHG rules, moves to eliminate other standards

Rachael Marsh, chief legal officer at the Edison Electric Institute, which represents investor-owned utilities, said in an emailed statement to Utility Dive that the group supported the repeal of the carbon capture and storage-based standards.

By Meris Lutz , Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 15, 2026

PJM faces 2030 reliability crisis if data center load growth continues: report

In a worst-case scenario, the modeled loss of load expectation is “over 100 times worse than PJM’s planning criterion,” indicating an expectation of “more than 13 days with loss of load events per year,” said the study commissioned by the Pennsylvania PUC.

By Diana DiGangi • Sept. 15, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Data Centers and the US Grid

A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

By Utility Dive staff

EPA poised to scrap power plant carbon standards

Eliminating federal limits on power-sector emissions could undermine local climate goals and increase risks to infrastructure and public health, city and environmental leaders warn.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 14, 2026

Constellation Energy in deal to buy 609-MW Rhode Island gas plant from Shell

The deal expands Constellation’s ISO New England portfolio. In a separate transaction, Shell acquired a 169-MW Pennsylvania gas portfolio to grow its PJM Interconnection position.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 14, 2026

Court rejects DOE ‘emergency’ order delaying coal plant retirement as overstep

“The Department’s reading of 'emergency' invites frequent federal interventions that are unsupported by the statute and threaten the stability of the energy market,” the U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia Circuit said in its ruling.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Sept. 11, 2026

Unplanned power plant outages fell sharply during 2025/26 winter storms: FERC-NERC report

Improved preparations and interregional power transfers played key roles in avoiding blackouts during bitter cold in early 2026, according to the agency and grid watchdog.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 11, 2026

Google, Xcel, others back MISO’s ‘zero injection’ large-load proposal

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator's proposal would fast-track reviews for generating projects that supply large loads served by the same substation, including colocated loads.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 9, 2026

NextEra secures $1.9B DOE loan for Duane Arnold nuclear restart

A DOE spokesperson told Utility Dive the loan will be repaid with interest to the U.S. taxpayer. "Thanks to President Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge, hyperscalers, not taxpayers, are paying for the new power generation," they said.

By Robert Walton • Updated Sept. 11, 2026

Utilities eye small modular nuclear reactors for reliability as hyperscalers drive demand

Deep-pocketed tech companies and mission‑critical defense customers are emerging as the earliest adopters of SMRs, but utilities see potential if siting and cost recovery issues can be resolved.

By Marlene Wilden • Sept. 4, 2026

Transmission expansion could spur billions in savings, especially in PJM: study

About a dozen inter- and intraregional projects in the Eastern Interconnection could help meet load growth, lower retail electric rates, bolster reliability and support U.S. security, the study found.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 2, 2026

PJM drops Oklo advanced nuclear project from interconnection study cycle

Oklo asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to order the PJM Interconnection to reinstate its 750-MW, mixed-technology project. PJM reportedly told Oklo that it never showed the project could ride through a sudden drop in grid voltage.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Sept. 1, 2026

The rules of data center development are evolving. Is your strategy?

Data center capacity continues to expand.

Aug. 31, 2026

US Army selects 5 companies to deploy microreactors at military installations

The $2.2B in federal funding is intended to boost the sites’ resilience and the commercial viability of next-generation nuclear power.

By Marlene Wilden • Aug. 27, 2026

Data center load made up 9% of PJM wholesale costs so far in 2026: market monitor

Overall wholesale power costs in the PJM Interconnection jumped 46% to $56.7 billion so far this year, driven by rising energy and capacity costs, per the grid operator’s market monitor.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 27, 2026

Harbert acquires cogenerating heat, power plant in Georgia

In addition to acting as a peaker plant for Georgia Power under a long-term power purchase agreement, Mid-Georgia Cogen also supplies thermal output to an adjacent Frito-Lay manufacturing facility for frying and cooking food.

By Meris Lutz • Aug. 26, 2026

Trump’s energy policy could cost US 540 GW of renewables, says NRDC

“We lose more than half of everything that we expected to be able to build with the combination of market forces and proactive policy,” said Amanda Levin, NRDC’s director of policy analysis.

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 26, 2026

Commonwealth Fusion Systems aims to complete demonstration reactor with $1B funding round

CEO Bob Mumgaard said the reactor, SPARC, is now “about 80% complete.” Experts remain divided over how soon they believe fusion technology could be commercialized.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 24, 2026

PJM eyes option to jumpstart surplus interconnection pathway

The surplus interconnection process has produced limited results while MISO and SPP are studying about 15 GW and 14 GW, respectively — mostly battery storage. PJM's current rules hinder hybrid projects, observers say.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 21, 2026

Duke’s Carolinas resource plan targets 18.5 GW new solar by 2041

The utility’s North Carolina and South Carolina territory “continues to experience significant growth,” with both states ranked among the fastest-growing, Duke told South Carolina regulators.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 20, 2026

Electric co-ops press for repeal of gas power plant emissions rules

“We are anxious to see action on this,” said National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CEO Jim Matheson. “We all understand that natural gas is the go-to for new generation in this country.”

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 20, 2026

Pennsylvania dangles permitting carrot for data centers that bring their own power

Under a new permitting framework for loads over 25 MW, applicants that commit to abide by the state’s recently introduced infrastructure development standards for data centers will receive preferential treatment.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 19, 2026

Northwest council proposes 11 GW of new generation, 5 GW storage by 2032

The Northwest Power and Conservation Council estimates the portfolio for its Ninth Power Plan would have a fixed cost of $2.3 billion in 2032.

By Marlene Wilden • Aug. 18, 2026

2026 Q2 roundup: Utilities emphasize project execution and ratepayer protections

Executives tried to show they can secure the equipment needed to meet rising demand without shifting costs to existing customers as politicians take aim at data centers ahead of the midterm elections.

By Meris Lutz • Aug. 17, 2026

WSP capitalizes on surging US power infrastructure construction

Power now accounts for as much as 40% of the company’s revenue, CEO Alexandre L’Heureux said during a second-quarter earnings call.

By Keith Loria • Aug. 14, 2026

FERC approves TransAlta, PowerTransitions gas-fired power plant deals

PowerTransitions aims to buy a 1.2-GW power plant in New York for an “energy campus.” TransAlta intends to buy two power plants in Colorado totaling about 319 MW.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 14, 2026