FERC revises its backstop permitting rules for national interest transmission corridor projects

The agency’s new rule could affect power line projects in 10 transmission corridors the Department of Energy proposed last week.

By Ethan Howland • May 14, 2024

Supply chain constraints may force new approach to offshore wind transmission: GE Vernova, others

The reduced availability of appropriate AC cables and equipment means constructing a mesh-style transmission network off the East Coast may be infeasible, according to a DNV transmission consultant.

By Emma Penrod • May 14, 2024

Explore the Trendline➔

Electricity Supply and Demand

After nearly two decades of flat demand, U.S. electricity consumption reached an all-time high in 2024 and is expected to continue rising. This trendline brings together the best of Utility Dive’s coverage of emerging trends in supply and demand and the decisions being made today that will impact the power system for years to come. 

By Utility Dive staff

FERC issues watershed transmission planning, cost allocation reform rule on 2-1 vote

The agency also approved changes to its backstop siting authority for power lines built in national interest electric transmission corridors.

By Ethan Howland • May 13, 2024

The future of work in the energy and utilities industry

Utility companies must understand how automation is reshaping their labor market and help their teams adapt.

May 13, 2024

PJM, MISO to study transmission upgrades to bolster interregional power flows

The grid operators plan to finish their interregional transfer capability study early next year.

By Ethan Howland • May 10, 2024

California PUC OKs $24/month fixed charge for IOUs with eye to equity, electrification

The fee, which comes with discounts for certain customers, “is a modest step towards making equitable electrification a reality,” Sierra Club Staff Attorney Rose Monahan said.

By Robert Walton • May 10, 2024

Competition in transmission ownership does not lower consumer costs

Opponents of right-of-first-refusal laws claim that incumbent transmission providers have no incentive to reduce costs. The exact opposite is true.

By Bill Marsan • May 9, 2024

DOE unveils 10 potential ‘national interest’ transmission corridors where projects could be expedited

The proposed corridors, which total more than 3,500 miles across targeted regions, could unlock federal financing.

By Robert Walton • May 8, 2024

Oncor Electric files $3.4B plan to strengthen Texas grid, Q1 profit rises 118%

Oncor’s strategic plan includes $525 million to bolster cybersecurity and $1.8 billion to harden and automate its legacy overhead and underground systems.

By Robert Walton • May 7, 2024

Replacing a Talen Energy coal-fired power plant with battery storage is infeasible: PJM

A Sierra Club proposal that aims to avoid a reliability must-run contract for the 1,280-MW Brandon Shores plant in Maryland is unworkable, the PJM Interconnection found.

By Ethan Howland • Updated May 6, 2024

ISO-NE anticipates 17% rise in annual energy use by 2033, led by EVs and heating

The region has typically seen grid demand peak during the summer, but that may change across the next 10 years, says a new capacity and demand report from the New England ISO.

By Robert Walton • May 6, 2024

Amid evolving utility goals and rising rates, an AMx strategy can de-risk AMI and bring all meters to the table

As the first wave of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) begins to reach the end of its expected life, new meter technologies—including next-generation “AMI 2.0” meters—promise to offer a host of new benefits to utilities and customers alike.

By Essie Snell • May 6, 2024

Taiwan Semiconductor’s $65B Arizona investment, data centers key drivers of APS sales growth: CFO

The state is attracting residents and industry, resulting in “robust” first-quarter sales, said Andrew Cooper, chief financial officer of APS parent Pinnacle West.

By Robert Walton • May 3, 2024

Long-term transmission planning will power America’s future

It is in the national interest to approach the power grid the same way we have approached the internet, the interstate highway system and telecommunications.

By John Szoka and Ted Thomas • May 2, 2024

PSEG in talks to sell nuclear power to data centers: CEO LaRossa

“Our New Jersey nuclear units could provide access to a highly reliable, carbon-free source of baseload power,” PSEG CEO Ralph LaRossa said Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • May 1, 2024

AEP faces 15 GW of new load, driven by Amazon, Google, other data centers: interim CEO Fowke

Load growth in Ohio is sparking talk of letting the state’s utilities own power plants again, Ben Fowke, AEP interim CEO, said Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • May 1, 2024

SPP Markets+ Western market plan sparks support, protest and concerns

Arizona Public Service, Public Service Co. of Colorado, Salt River Project, Tucson Electric Power and a public power trade group urged FERC to approve the day-ahead market.

By Ethan Howland • April 30, 2024

FirstEnergy may ‘put a little money on the table’ to help end HB 6 bribery litigation: CEO

With recently approved rate hikes, FirstEnergy “proved that we can obtain constructive regulatory outcomes across our jurisdictions,” CEO Brian Tierney said.

By Ethan Howland • April 29, 2024

Charging ahead: GIS mobility sparks continuous improvement

GIS and Modern Network Management are the foundation for energy transformation.

By Bill Meehan, Esri • April 29, 2024

ERCOT considers demand response, dynamic line ratings to address South Texas transmission constraints

Grid officials say a request for proposals for demand resources would lean on “lessons learned” from a canceled October RFP for 3 GW of winter capacity.

By Robert Walton • April 26, 2024

DOE sets 2-year deadline for federal transmission permitting, cutting average timelines in half

In addition, the Energy Department has tentatively agreed to provide up to $331 million to an LS Power transmission project that could help create a new transmission pathway in the West and deliver wind from Idaho to California.

By Ethan Howland • April 25, 2024

ERCOT launches new planning efforts as 2030 load growth projections soar 40 GW in a year

The growth is being fueled by a range of sectors, including artificial intelligence, data centers, industrial electrification, hydrogen and electric vehicles, said ERCOT President and CEO Pablo Vegas.

By Robert Walton • April 24, 2024

The case for electricity transmission competition has never been clearer with today’s inflation

Both the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission have found that competitive bidding will improve grid sustainability and resiliency while lowering rates and increasing innovation.

By Paul Cicio • April 23, 2024

New England states seek federal funds for large-scale transmission, storage buildout

The funding “would be transformational for the development of renewable energy and grid resiliency across the entire Northeast region,” said Massachusetts Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey.

By Robert Walton • April 19, 2024

Democratic bill mandates FERC interconnection reforms to bring new resources online faster

The bill would help bring new power supply online to address surging demand growth and increasing grid reliability concerns, according to the R Street Institute’s Devin Hartman.

By Ethan Howland • April 18, 2024