What the streaming wars can teach utilities about the AI data center boom

Utilities can avoid making the same mistakes major studios made in the Netflix era, but only if they view the AI boom as a systemwide modernization challenge rather than an overflowing queue of individual projects, writes Abbey O’Brien at Ulteig.

By Abbey O’Brien • May 27, 2026

76% of Americans want stronger utility oversight

A poll from consumer advocacy group PowerLines found broad distrust of elected officials and limited understanding of utilities’ business models. Experts told Utility Dive the disconnect could worsen.

By Brian Martucci • Updated May 21, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Cybersecurity of the Grid

In addition to presenting opportunities for growth, AI is exacerbating cyber threats with more sophisticated malware that is easier than ever to build and deploy. The rise of distributed energy resources also creates more opportunities for attack. 

By Utility Dive staff

FERC Commissioner Chang is ‘not thinking about’ breaking up PJM

“I'm interested in the successful continued operation of PJM, but definitely I want to help them get through this period,” FERC Commissioner Judy Chang told Utility Dive. She called the proposed NextEra-Dominion merger “interesting.”

By Diana DiGangi • May 21, 2026

PJM accelerates backstop auction amid uncertainty over data center cost allocation

The grid operator urged states to develop rules to shield other ratepayers from data center-driven costs, but analysts said it remains unclear how a reliability auction’s costs could be allocated only to hyperscalers.

By Ethan Howland • May 20, 2026

Data center interconnection delays complicate demand forecasting: NERC

The U.S. power grid should have sufficient resources to meet typical summer demand, but risk is growing in the shoulder seasons, the North American Electric Reliability Corp. said Tuesday.

By Robert Walton • May 20, 2026

PJM gets emergency approval to curtail data centers, large loads during hot weather

Under the Department of Energy order, the PJM Interconnection can curtail power to data centers with backup generation as a last resort before instituting rolling blackouts.

By Ethan Howland • May 19, 2026

New cybersecurity industry coalition aims to lead US critical infrastructure protection

The new Alliance for Critical Infrastructure wants to change how the nation plans for a major cybersecurity crisis. Founding members include Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Consolidated Edison, Southern Co. and Xcel Energy.

By Eric Geller • May 19, 2026

DOE exceeded its authority with coal retirement delay, states tell appeals court

A decision in the Consumers Energy case could set a precedent for legal challenges to Department of Energy orders keeping fossil-fueled power plants from retiring.

By Ethan Howland • May 18, 2026

Combined NextEra-Dominion would have 130-GW large-load pipeline

Analysts said the deal, which could create the largest regulated electric utility in the world, marks a shift back toward an integrated utility model. The combined business would be “anchored by a more than 80% regulated business mix,” the companies said.

By Robert Walton • May 18, 2026

Early EPC project integration helps utility owners meet grid demands

See how closer engineering-construction coordination improves utility project delivery.

By Sarah Simpson, Burns & McDonnell • May 18, 2026

NY’s 2027 budget includes climate, emissions reduction rollbacks: Gov. Hochul

The state plans to scrap a 2030 goal that sought a 40% reduction in emissions and replace it with a 2040 goal that aims for a 60% reduction.

By Zoya Mirza • May 15, 2026

How utilities can avoid data overload and turn maintenance data into action

Data collection can feel meaningless when utilities lack the tools to turn that data into improved performance or efficiency, writes Ariel Santamaria from Advanced Technology Services.

By Ariel Santamaria • May 15, 2026

Commercial electricity use will likely surpass residential in 2027: EIA

Meanwhile, residential prices have been growing in all regions of the United States, “and we expect this trend to continue,” the U.S. Energy Information Administration said.

By Robert Walton • May 15, 2026

Security beyond CIP: When ‘low impact’ doesn’t mean low risk

Today’s power grid was built to handle an outage at a major facility. But there is a growing risk from many smaller resources failing at once, writes Anirban Ghosh at Black & Veatch.

By Anirban “Sunny” Ghosh • May 14, 2026

US annual electricity consumption to grow 55% by 2050: NEMA

The group representing electrical equipment manufacturers expects data center energy consumption to grow 300% over the next 10 years.

By Robert Walton • May 13, 2026

Con Edison to spend $29B shoring up NYC area grid as electrification rises

New York City and its suburbs are not seeing an influx of data centers like other parts of the country, but building and transportation electrification is driving gradual demand growth.

By Brian Martucci • May 12, 2026

Making AI work for utilities means treating technology as a partner, not a replacement

In an era when reliability indices directly shape regulatory ratings, AI's predictive capability becomes a measurable operational asset, but only when people know how to use it, writes Sean Burri, a Dominion Energy infrastructure engineer.

By Sean Burri • May 12, 2026

SPP, PJM, CAISO anticipate being able to meet power demand this summer

The regions in each organization’s footprint are likely to see higher-than-average temperatures this summer, but supply is expected to reliably meet demand.

By Diana DiGangi • May 12, 2026

Resilient grid design can change what happens when storms hit

Improve your storm response with targeted design approaches on the distribution grid.

By Kumar Chandran • May 11, 2026

Modern billing systems put more power behind utility rates

Rate design can reduce grid costs, but first utilities need upgraded billing systems.

By Galen Erickson, Kurt Coutain, Emma Rodvien • May 11, 2026

Why procurement has become a grid reliability issue: ULE Group

Critical grid work becomes harder for utilities to keep on budget when schedules are repeatedly disrupted by missing or delayed equipment, writes ULE Group President Danielle Pirrone.

By Danielle Pirrone • May 8, 2026

PJM floats options for capacity market overhaul

“The current situation is not tenable,” PJM President and CEO David Mills said. “The region has years, not decades, to make these choices deliberately.” The grid operator lays out three options, including shifting to an energy market model, in a white paper.

By Ethan Howland • May 7, 2026

NERC issues Level 3 alert, mandates action to address data center load losses

Computational loads pose “immediate risks,” the grid watchdog said. Certain grid participants must take seven actions by Aug. 3 in response. 

By Robert Walton • Updated May 5, 2026

ISO New England trims 10-year forecast based on electrification outlook

Annual electricity consumption will grow about 9% by 2035, reflecting “more conservative assumptions around future adoption of electric vehicles and heat pumps,” the grid operator said.

By Robert Walton • May 4, 2026

TransAlta seeks $19.9M for Centralia plant’s first DOE ‘emergency’ order

The plant didn’t produce electricity, but TransAlta spent money keeping it “available” instead of retiring it as planned. It will cost another $23 million to repair it, TransAlta told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

By Ethan Howland • May 1, 2026