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By Michael Menendez, Senior Partner, Energy & Utilities, West Monroe • Oct. 27, 2025

Trump taps Swett to lead FERC

Under Republican Laura Swett’s leadership, FERC can “strengthen market design and unlock billions in private investment to meet record demand,” said EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 24, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

FirstEnergy expects peak load to grow 45% by 2035 on data centers

In the first nine months this year, electric sales grew 1% from the same period in 2024 but were essentially flat on a weather-adjusted basis. The company anticipates “more meaningful” increases starting in the fourth quarter.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 24, 2025

The week in 5 numbers: The electricity price report everyone is talking about

Plus utility identity fraud, turbine backlogs and more.

By Meris Lutz • Oct. 24, 2025

$1.6B in clean energy investments were rolled back in September: E2

More than $24 billion in clean energy investment has been withdrawn so far this year, according to E2. The group said $11 billion in new projects were announced over the same period.

By Diana DiGangi • Oct. 23, 2025

Gas reliance will worsen the energy affordability crisis

Utilities and regulators should consider other options before investing in gas plants and making customers pay the inflated price, writes Cassady Craighill, technical education director at GridLab.

By Cassady Craighill • Oct. 23, 2025

PJM poised to add more storage following surplus interconnection reform

The grid operator’s new fast-track interconnection review is dominated by gas but also includes about 2.3 GW of storage projects that could be online much sooner.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 23, 2025

NERC president warns of ‘five-alarm fire’ for grid reliability

“The reliability of the power grid remains extremely high, but, paradoxically, the risks to reliability continue to mount,” the North American Electric Reliability Corp.’s Jim Robb told federal regulators.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 22, 2025

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s industry partnerships slashed

The latest round of sweeping layoffs could significantly impede CISA’s relationships with critical infrastructure organizations in healthcare, energy, water, finance and other sectors.

By Eric Geller • Oct. 22, 2025

States should think twice before taking steps to exit PJM

If officials believe the PJM Interconnection capacity market is not ensuring resource adequacy, or is doing so at excessive prices, they should turn their efforts to market reforms, writes former FERC Chair Joseph Kelliher.

By Joseph Kelliher • Oct. 22, 2025

Maryland’s EmPOWER efficiency program not meeting low-income goals: OPC

Most utilities in the state are on track to meet emissions goals associated with the efficiency program. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development is not.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 22, 2025

DOE cancels $700 million in battery and manufacturing project grants

A DOE spokesperson said the projects had missed milestones and would not provide a positive return on investment of taxpayer dollars.

By Diana DiGangi • Oct. 21, 2025

FERC rejects NV Energy plan to allow free exit from interconnection study

Geothermal projects have surged to 3.3 GW in NV Energy’s interconnection queue, which grew 30% in the last three months.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 21, 2025

NorthWestern plans ‘large load’ tariff for Montana data centers

Advocates say the utility plans to serve at least three data centers that could scale up to a load of 2,250 MW — nearly twice its current peak. NorthWestern said it is in talks with potential data center customers but has no agreements.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 21, 2025

To keep power affordable, regulators must rethink who pays — and when

A growing body of evidence shows that widespread residential electrification can actually reduce average rates, but only under the right conditions, write Becky Li and Joe Daniel of RMI. 

By Becky Li and Joe Daniel • Oct. 20, 2025

Residential electricity prices surge ahead of C&I rates: Berkeley Lab

State behind-the-meter policies and renewable portfolio standards appear to increase electricity prices, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory researchers said.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 20, 2025

As cyber threats grow, utilities say lapsed information-sharing law stymies security

The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 has expired, and utilities say the U.S. faces a “more complex and dangerous security environment” as a result.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 20, 2025

States sue EPA over canceled Solar for All grants

In the third lawsuit filed about the grants this month, 22 states and the District of Columbia contend the agency illegally revoked $7 billion in clean energy funds awarded to local governments.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 17, 2025

FERC orders MISO to clarify how merchant projects will be included in transmission planning

Also, the agency aims to issue a colocation decision this year while its staffing has plunged 11%, FERC Chairman David Rosner said Thursday at an open meeting.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 17, 2025

PJM customers will benefit from cooperation, not conflict, within the electric industry

Distribution utilities and generators in the PJM region have come to blows over a potential generation shortage, writes Terry Fitzpatrick, a former chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

By Terry Fitzpatrick • Oct. 16, 2025

21 Democratic House members press PJM for interconnection reforms

The lawmakers called on the PJM Interconnection to bolster rules for energy storage and grid-enhancing technologies while considering options such as “connect and manage.”

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 16, 2025

California delays rulemaking timeline for climate disclosure laws to 2026

The state said the delay was due to the “large volume of public comments” it received. Many utilities were included on a “preliminary” list of covered entities published last month.

By Zoya Mirza • Updated Oct. 15, 2025

DOE closes $1.6B loan commitment for AEP transmission rebuild

The loan guarantee will help an American Electric Power subsidiary rebuild around 5,000 miles of transmission lines across Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma and West Virginia.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 16, 2025

VPP Convergence Project aims to educate states on virtual power plants

Tesla, Sunrun, Leap, Voltus and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners are involved in the effort.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 15, 2025

How community benefits agreements can reduce project delivery risk

Working with communities to develop energy or other projects can help developers deliver on-time and on-budget, and with a strong foundation of local support.

By Sameera Fazili, Pronita Gupta and Doug Bloch • Oct. 15, 2025