DOE’s Alex Fitzsimmons on energy markets, AI, renewables and more

Utility Dive caught up with the associate deputy secretary of energy at the Edison Electric Institute conference in Las Vegas, where the dominant theme was balancing demand growth with affordability.

By Meris Lutz • June 5, 2026

Protesters target NV Energy at electric utility conference as anger over affordability rises

“In Las Vegas, one of the fastest warming cities in the country, you cannot live without electricity,” said protest organizer Leslie Vega, who said she’s lost loved ones to heatstroke.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 4, 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

Speed to power requires more transmission, not less competition

A complaint at FERC seeking to limit competition among transmission developers would inject uncertainty into the process and spur regulatory delays, writes Will Hazelip from National Grid Ventures US.

By Will Hazelip • June 4, 2026

Constellation’s Three Mile Island nuclear restart gets boost with FERC waiver

Constellation Energy will be able to transfer capacity interconnection rights, enabling the nuclear unit to potentially deliver all its power when it restarts, possibly before the end of 2027.

By Ethan Howland • June 3, 2026

SEC proposes rule rescinding Biden-era climate risk disclosures

The agency’s proposal calls the 2024 climate disclosure rules “a dramatic overreach of the Commission’s statutory authority and, independently, unsound as a matter of policy.”

By Lamar Johnson • June 2, 2026

What does it take to restore a nuclear power plant?

Restarting previously closed nuclear plants could be one of the most cost-effective ways to supply large amounts of firm, clean electricity, writes Patrick White at Clean Air Task Force.

By Patrick White • June 2, 2026

Eversource project ‘epitomizes’ flawed transmission reviews: New England states

New England “severely lacks” oversight of asset condition projects like Eversource Energy’s X-178 transmission project, the New England States Committee on Electricity told FERC.

By Ethan Howland • June 2, 2026

How the U.S. solar industry can solve its 53K-worker challenge

The solar workforce challenge is significant but solvable. Here’s how to close the gap.

June 2, 2026

Access to real-time electricity data should be a basic consumer right

The technology exists and the infrastructure is there. What is missing is a requirement that customers have access to data on their electricity use, writes Joel Hicks at the University of Oregon.

By Joel Hicks • June 1, 2026

Once you secure SPARK funds for transmission development, what comes next?

The success of DOE’s SPARK initiative will depend on how prepared organizations are to execute once the funding arrives, writes Al Eliasen, Spatial Business Systems CEO.

By Al Eliasen • May 29, 2026

New Mexico has the nation’s best DER interconnection policy: report

The state received high marks for its robust energy storage interconnection framework, frequent public reports on its interconnection queue and incorporating IEEE’s technical standard for DER interconnections.

By Brian Martucci • May 28, 2026

Hyperscalers didn’t set out to be power companies. The grid left them no choice.

The power gap left hyperscalers with no alternative but to take on utility-scale obligations and lock up gigawatts of generation, writes Peak Nano CMO Shaun Walsh.

By Shaun Walsh • May 28, 2026

Oregon PUC approves PGE’s large-load tariff framework for data centers

The order shifts more infrastructure costs and interconnection obligations to hyperscale customers while positioning Oregon’s 2025 POWER Act as an early test of how states manage AI-driven load growth.

By Marlene Wilden • May 28, 2026

MISO pushes back on utility complaint over competitive transmission bidding

The grid operator stopped short of taking a position on the complaint itself. States and consumer advocates oppose it, while at least one major data center company supports it.

By Ethan Howland • May 28, 2026

How Illinois’ energy policy blueprint can address affordability, reliability

By betting on efficiency, storage, long-term energy planning and grid flexibility, the Illinois’ Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act offers a blueprint for the state’s energy future, Vote Solar’s John Delurey writes.

By John Delurey • May 26, 2026

Competitive transmission projects come online faster than incumbent projects in 4 regions: R Street

Completed competitive transmission projects are also about 30% less expensive than comparable incumbent utility projects, according to a report from the think tank. 

By Ethan Howland • May 26, 2026

Building an affordable energy future

Customer affordability is becoming a defining priority for utilities as investment costs and energy demands continue to rise.

May 26, 2026

US summer generating capacity increases by 75 GW since 2025: FERC

Capacity additions include about 26 GW in Texas, 13 GW in the Western Electric Coordinating Council region and 11 GW in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator market, FERC said.

By Ethan Howland • May 22, 2026

Puerto Rico’s power grid is ‘suspended between two realities,’ top utility regulator says

Affordability, reliability and the need to restore public confidence almost a decade after Hurricane Maria are top concerns, writes PREB Chairman Edison Avilés.

By Edison Avilés • May 22, 2026

AEP, other Ohio utilities could own nuclear power plants under state bill

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association opposes the bill, saying it would give utilities a path back into the generation business with customers bearing the financial risks.

By Ethan Howland • May 22, 2026

New Mexico regulators scrutinize Blackstone-TXNM stock trade in merger review

Consumer and renewable energy advocates say the stock transaction gave Blackstone an early stake in TXNM Energy before regulators could negotiate acquisition-related conditions or customer protections. The companies deny wrongdoing.

By Marlene Wilden • May 21, 2026

Nuclear fuel is the weak link in US energy security: Centrus CMO

America must rebuild its nuclear fuel supply chain to reduce geopolitical risk, writes Centrus Energy CMO John Donelson. “No one company can do it alone.”

By John Donelson • May 21, 2026

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

Common‑sense state action can unlock a geothermal revolution in Utah and beyond

Pairing geothermal with accelerated transmission development and stronger regional coordination can help the West access its gigawatt-scale geothermal potential, write Clean Air Task Force colleagues.

By Ann Garth and Dan West • May 20, 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