FERC proposes easing regulatory pathway for gas pipeline, LNG projects

“The only current restriction on getting American gas is our ability to get the gas to market and the infrastructure bottlenecks,” FERC Chairman Laura Swett said.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 16, 2026

Utilities can use AI to solve grid backlogs: AWS energy lead

The utilities moving first on AI-powered grid planning are delivering faster approvals, fewer outages and lower costs, writes Amazon Web Services’ head of energy and utilities, Joseph Santamaria.

By Joseph Santamaria • Oct. 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

AEP in deal to buy up to 1.6 GW of Mainspring linear generators

Separately, American Electric Power expects to spend about $4 billion on a 702-MW Bloom Energy fuel cell project in Wyoming that is under contract to Google.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 15, 2026

Fossil fuel generation pipeline rebounds while new clean generation slows: EDF

However, “rising gas turbine costs and supply shortages are already making new gas plants more expensive and slower to build,” David Villagrana, EDF’s lead counsel for clean energy tax solutions, told Utility Dive.

By Diana DiGangi • Oct. 14, 2026

PJM plans to study SoftBank’s Ohio AI project under state agreement approach

The project, dubbed “Flagship,” includes 765-kV transmission lines to be built by AEP Ohio, roughly 10 GW in data center load and about 10.2 GW in gas-fired generation.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 14, 2026

FERC rejects most of PJM’s large load interconnection plan

The PJM Interconnection’s plan for curtailing large loads that don’t have matching new generation intrudes on state jurisdiction and appears to be discriminatory, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 12, 2026

PJM approves fast-track interconnection for 2.1 GW from Engie, LS Power

The grid operator expects Engie’s two storage projects totaling nearly 1.7 GW and LS Power’s 455-MW gas-fired uprate will be online by mid-2029.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 9, 2026

4-hour storage cheaper than gas peakers across global markets: WoodMac

In North America, data centers are boosting the long-term investment case for energy storage and renewables as gas turbine backlogs and rising fuel volatility drive up peaking costs, according to a note from Wood Mackenzie.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 8, 2026

DOE presses PJM on ratepayer protections from large load costs

“A capability to continuously track whether a project enters into service ... or is delayed, reduced, or cancelled, can help assign costs for new generation to the customers responsible for those investments,” the DOE said in a rare filing at FERC.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Oct. 8, 2026

Top electric power sector and utility conferences in 2027

Utility Dive’s curated list of notable events where energy professionals will gather to exchange ideas, demonstrate novel approaches and network for a new era of grid modernization.

By Meris Lutz • Oct. 6, 2026

States, renewable developers back MISO’s accelerated interconnection queue plan

“This approach can materially accelerate the processing of legacy queue cycles while preserving MISO’s responsibility to identify and address reliability concerns,” the Organization of MISO States said.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 6, 2026

DOE intends to loan Vistra $4.2B for nuclear fleet improvements

The loan would cover 433 MW of uprates at Vistra’s nuclear plants and preserve around 4 GW of existing capacity to help meet growing demand in the PJM region, said the U.S. Department of Energy.

By Diana DiGangi • Oct. 6, 2026

Constellation, Google strike 890-MW nuclear deal in PJM

Constellation Energy has signed 20-year power purchase agreements with both Google and Amazon in the last week, supporting almost 1.1 GW of nuclear expansions.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 6, 2026

Amazon, Constellation sign 20-year PPA to expand Maryland nuclear plant

The tech giant and energy producer are backing improvements and renovations at the 1,790-MW Calvert Cliffs Clean Energy Center, the state’s largest source of clean energy.

By Zoya Mirza • Oct. 5, 2026

Rising interest rates challenge utility financing plans, US Bank managing director says

For utilities, rapidly rising interest rates will make keeping capital expenditures well-balanced “a little more challenging,” said Tim Keller, managing director of U.S. Bank’s power and utilities group.

By Diana DiGangi • Oct. 5, 2026

MISO proposes fast-track large load, generation study process

The 120-day study process would be available for loads larger than 200 MW and new generation that is in the same local resource zone, which generally consists of individual states.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 5, 2026

FERC rejects TransAlta 202(c) cost-recovery plan for Centralia unit

Only utilities in the Northwest should pay the nearly $20 million in expenses for a 90-day order covering the Centralia unit, and despite the unit’s lack of output, payment is due, the agency said.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 2, 2026

FERC chair slams PJM ‘mess’ as country’s largest grid operator delays power auction

PJM had planned to accept offers for backstop power supplies from Sept. 30 through Oct. 21 after falling short of its reserve margin targets. But FERC only partially approved its plan, zeroing in on cost allocation concerns.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 30, 2026

Ameren Missouri files 20-year plan with 10.6 GW of gas additions

Company executives said the plan was designed to ensure a diversity of resources to maintain reliability and manage costs. But environmental advocates said it would significantly increase the utility’s reliance on fossil fuels.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2026

Data center backup power contributes to health risks: report

Federal regulatory actions are allowing on-site generators at data centers and other power plants to release dangerous emissions with fewer checks, according to the Environmental Protection Network.

By Robert Freedman • Sept. 28, 2026

Second federal judge overturns $7B Solar for All cancellation

The decision in a suit brought by Harris County, Texas, follows a similar ruling last week. A Harris County judge called it “a really important victory for energy resilience.”

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 25, 2026

FERC rejects Oklo complaint seeking to reinstate project to PJM’s interconnection study cycle

The decision affects a 750-MW, mixed technology project in Virginia, which Oklo said would be delayed by at least 18 months if it misses the current interconnection cycle.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 25, 2026

States sue Trump administration, developers over offshore wind lease buyouts

Attorneys general from California and a coalition of Northeastern states accused the federal government of violating several laws and the developers of colluding with the administration.

By Diana DiGangi , Meris Lutz • Sept. 24, 2026

California tightens oversight of data center energy use, grid costs

Bills signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom include regulations aimed at ensuring data centers pay for infrastructure needed to serve them and bear a larger share of wildfire mitigation and liability costs.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 22, 2026

North Carolina regulators deny Duke Energy gas turbine request over ‘staggering’ cost, uncertain need

The order called out Duke’s commitment to the White House Ratepayer Protection Pledge, saying the utility had not established the specific extent to which the proposed facility is intended to serve data centers.

By Diana DiGangi • Sept. 22, 2026