Transmission & Distribution


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    Why the SPEED Act may slow down after passing the House

    In January, lawmakers face the expiration of a temporary government funding deal and impending midterms, complicating the bill's advancement. But observers say there is more urgency now than ever before to reform energy infrastructure permitting.

    By Dec. 22, 2025
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    Ron Jenkins via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Energy evolution: Meeting the demands of an AI-powered world

    By pairing human expertise with AI-driven insights and forging collaborations across industries, we can build an energy ecosystem that is reliable and affordable for all, EPRI’s Remi Raphael writes.

    By Remi Raphael • Dec. 19, 2025
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    Brandon Bell/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    AI in the Power Sector

    Artificial intelligence is uniquely positioned to impact the electricity industry from both ends: as the technology driving large load demand growth and as a tool with the potential to make the power system more efficient. 

    By Utility Dive staff
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    Jeff Swensen via Getty Images
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    The week in 5 numbers: PJM did it again

    In other news, 2025 is shaping up to be another record year for new energy storage installations. With Ford entering the market, the industry expects continued growth, despite some bumps in the road. 

    By Dec. 19, 2025
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    The image by Peretzp is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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    FERC orders PJM to craft large load colocation rules

    The decision is a win for independent power producers with gas-fired and nuclear power plants in the PJM Interconnection, according to Capstone analysts.

    By Dec. 19, 2025
  • FERC members raise alarms about PJM failure to meet reliability target

    PJM says several factors could close the capacity shortfall, including a new load forecast next month that could be significantly lower than the last due to stricter vetting of potential large loads and a reduced economic outlook.

    By Dec. 19, 2025
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    Diana DiGangi/Utility Dive
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    Large load tariffs could streamline interconnection by shrinking queues: Enverus

    “Anyone with an acre of land they think they could put a data center on is putting in an interconnection request,” said energy research analyst Adam Robinson.

    By Emma Penrod • Dec. 18, 2025
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    David McNew via Getty Images
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    SBTi opens pilot for power sector net-zero standard

    The Science Based Targets initiative is looking for companies in the energy industry to test the practicality and usefulness of the draft framework.

    By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 17, 2025
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    Getty Images
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    Duke University launches power sector ‘competitiveness’ dashboard for Southeast

    The Southern states ranked most “competitive” all participated in regional transmission organizations or independent system operators, researchers noted.

    By Dec. 12, 2025
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    Getty Images
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    FERC poised to issue decision on colocating large loads in PJM

    The agency’s plan to issue an order at its Dec. 18 open meeting is likely a boon for nuclear and gas-fired power plant owners that want to sell electricity to colocated data centers, analysts said.

    By Dec. 12, 2025
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    To power the AI revolution, we need a grid built for speed

    Advancing AI requires utility incentive reforms that value digital upgrades like advanced metering and distributed energy resource management systems, Schneider Electric’s Jeannie Salo writes.

    By Jeannie Salo • Dec. 11, 2025
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    PJM, others challenge large load interconnection filings at FERC

    Power producer and data center trade groups, the PJM Interconnection and utilities urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reject calls for action on the grid operator’s large load rules.

    By Dec. 9, 2025
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    OATI

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    Sponsored by OATI

    DTECH 2026: 5 observations ahead of the biggest grid event of the year

    Ahead of DTECH 2026, power systems pioneers OATI share vision for taking utilities Into the Future with AI, DERMS and advanced controls.

    By Jerry Dempsey, Executive Vice President, OATI • Dec. 8, 2025
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    The SPEED Act is an opportunity to align permitting policy with grid reality

    Reform is overdue, and the House deserves credit for pushing it forward. But Congress should apply it to multistate transmission in its entirety, not in bits and pieces, says Christina Hayes, Grid Action executive director.

    By Christina Hayes • Dec. 5, 2025
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    Courtesy of Bechtel
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    Rein in CWIP to protect ratepayers from bloated infrastructure costs: report

    When utilities use “construction work in progress” accounting, “cost overruns become profit opportunities rather than financial penalties,” the authors of a Manhattan Institute brief said. They pointed to Georgia Power’s Plant Vogtle nuclear expansion as a prime example.

    By Dec. 5, 2025
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    Courtesy of Duke Energy
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    US solicitor general tells Supreme Court to reject Duke Energy antitrust appeal

    “This appeal arises out of a campaign by an established monopolist to stop a more efficient rival from disturbing its long-dominant hold over a regional energy market,” U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer said.

    By Dec. 4, 2025
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Construction costs continue to climb as prices rise for steel, copper and switchgear

    Price volatility is keeping procurement unpredictable for contractors, said Macrina Wilkins, senior research analyst at Associated General Contractors of America.

    By Sebastian Obando • Dec. 3, 2025
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    Brent Stirton via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Utilities, regulators look to accelerate pilots to achieve speed-to-innovation

    Stakeholders say clear cost limits, timelines and parameters for scaling can overcome the inertia of a traditionally risk-averse industry.

    By Dec. 1, 2025
  • Power plants in SPP can expand up to 20% under new FERC-approved fast-track review

    Developers must show that the necessary financing and equipment has been secured and that the project can be online within five years.

    By Dec. 1, 2025
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    Provided by Nissan Motor Co. 

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    Tariffs continue to weigh on manufacturing as PMI index shows contraction

    “We do not see anything on the horizon that’s going to turn the ship until there is more certainty ... with the legality of the tariffs,” said Susan Spence, chair of the ISM’s Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.

    By Sara Samora • Dec. 1, 2025
  • Podcast cover for 'How Utilities Are Planning for Demand' featuring logos for WSP, POWER Engineers, and Utility Dive. The background shows power transmission towers and lines under a starry sky with an orange horizon.
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    William Walker/Utility Dive
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    Sponsored by POWER Engineers, member of WSP

    [Podcast] How Utilities Are Planning for Demand

    This podcast explores how utilities are meeting rising power demand with smart planning and strategies for the grid of tomorrow.

    By Utility Dive's studioID • Updated Dec. 1, 2025
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Residential electricity prices continue rise, up 7.4% in September: EIA

    Some industry sources say the rise in prices is a function of generation capacity constraints, while others cite transmission and fuel costs. No one sees a near-term solution. 

    By Nov. 26, 2025
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Data centers are breaking the old grid. Let AI build the new one.

    Utilities that embrace artificial intelligence will set reliability and affordability standards for decades to come, writes Hari Vasudevan, founder and CEO of KYRO AI.

    By Hari Vasudevan • Nov. 26, 2025
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    Getty Images
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    No more PJM data centers unless they can be reliably served: market monitor

    The PJM Interconnection’s market monitor urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to rule that large data centers can only come online if the grid operator can still meet reliability metrics.

    By Nov. 26, 2025
  • Amazon worker walks inside a data center facility
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    Courtesy of Amazon
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    NIPSCO to supply 3 GW to Amazon data centers in northern Indiana

    Northern Indiana Public Service Co. and an affiliate expect to spend about $7 billion on 2.6 GW of gas, 400 MW of storage and transmission — to be paid for by Amazon.

    By Nov. 25, 2025
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    DOE large load interconnection proposal sparks federal-state jurisdiction concerns

    State regulators, lawmakers and ratepayer advocates voiced alarm over the department’s interconnection proposal, while the Data Center Coalition offered qualified support.

    By Nov. 24, 2025