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

US electric, gas utility rate requests spike to $4.5B in Q3: PowerLines

The cumulative value of third quarter rate requests more than doubled from the third quarter of 2025, according to a report from the advocacy group.  

By Robert Walton • Oct. 9, 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

Power system plans to meet large-load demand miss near-term solutions: analysts

Major work by regional planners is focused on flexible access to existing transmission. Some say greater emphasis on advanced transmission technologies can quickly and cost-effectively create room for new large loads.

By Herman K. Trabish • 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

Virginia regulators approve Dominion’s fuel cost recovery, securitization

The Virginia State Corporation Commission approved fuel cost securitization for the second time since 2023, adding additional interest costs for customers.

By Charles Paullin • Oct. 7, 2026

Virginia Lt. Gov. Hashmi opposes NextEra-Dominion merger as public hearings begin

“We are disappointed by the lieutenant governor’s decision and respectfully disagree with it,” Neil Nissan, a spokesperson for NextEra Energy, told Utility Dive. State regulators are set to hold their first local hearing on the case Wednesday.

By Diana DiGangi • Oct. 7, 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

A new VPP framework can center the energy transition in Illinois around customers: ComEd VP

Commonwealth Edison will file a virtual power plant framework by the end of 2027 that looks beyond batteries, writes Andrew Plenge, vice president of strategy and energy policy at the Illinois utility.

By Andrew Plenge • 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

Virginia hearing examiner tells Dominion to release memo on FPL investigation

Dominion said the memo wasn’t relevant to its merger with NextEra Energy, but Clean Virginia, a customer advocacy group, said it speaks to the governance “fitness” of the potential combined company.

By Charles Paullin • 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

Cities, states sue EPA over power plant emissions rollback

Chicago, Denver and New York City joined multistate lawsuits challenging the agency’s move to end greenhouse gas emissions standards and failure to enforce requirements on existing gas-fired plants.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 2, 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

Lawsuit alleges USDA illegally slashed rural solar development program

Internal emails show a department administrator stating “let’s let the comms shop find . . . the rationale behind their statistics” when asked to substantiate anti-solar claims underpinning the policy changes, the complaint says. 

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 29, 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

SPP’s ‘stop-gap’ resource adequacy plan for Western balancing area panned at FERC

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission should reject the proposal, in part because it would stifle markets, the Southwest Power Pool’s market monitor said.

By Ethan Howland • 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

Advanced transmission projects get $1.9B in DOE funding

The department expects the projects will add 23 GW in grid capacity and will come online in “record time” to improve the existing transmission system.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 24, 2026

On clean energy, bigger is not always better

When Congress revisits clean-energy tax policy, lawmakers should restore incentives for locally driven solar and storage projects, writes Edward Yim at Lawyers for Good Government.

By Edward Yim • Sept. 24, 2026

Affordability concerns drive momentum for performance-based ratemaking

Michigan is among the states weighing reforms to rate case planning and utility profits. Experts and stakeholders told Utility Dive what works — and what doesn’t.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 24, 2026

New York audits utility AI use, cites risk in ‘growing dependency’

Increasing use of AI systems to manage public utilities creates new risks for critical infrastructure, regulators said.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 24, 2026

FERC has options for modernizing PJM’s governance

The commission’s jurisdiction over transmission governance allows it to modify filing-rights allocations and adjust the PJM Interconnection’s nominating committee, writes Harvard Law’s Ari Peskoe.

By Ari Peskoe • Sept. 23, 2026

FERC rejects ComEd’s cancellation of PowerHouse Hillwood data center contract

A 1.8-GW, $20 billion data center planned by PowerHouse Hillwood was underpinned by a $1 letter of credit — “less than the price of a cup of coffee” — that drew skepticism from FERC Commissioner David LaCerte.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 23, 2026