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

Explore the 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

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

Senate permitting bill would expand federal role in transmission siting

The legislation gives FERC authority to issue permits for transmission projects when they are in the public interest. It also eliminates NIETCs and the federal right of first refusal for incumbent utilities and protects existing federal permits.

By Diana DiGangi • Oct. 1, 2026

Looking beyond peak: Industry coalition floats new approach to measuring grid utilization

Current grid utilization should be viewed not as a problem, but as an opportunity to advance affordability and free up new capacity, writes Ian Magruder, executive director of Utilize Coalition.

By Ian Magruder • Oct. 1, 2026

Ameren Missouri files 20-year plan with 10.6 GW of gas additions

Company executives said the plan was designed to ensure a diversity of resources to maintain reliability and manage costs. But environmental advocates said it would significantly increase the utility’s reliance on fossil fuels.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2026

The data center boom continues apace, but projects face mounting obstacles

Shortages of skilled labor and equipment, as well as local opposition, are threatening even high-profile projects backed by big tech companies. Developers are responding by embracing flexibility and alternative technologies once considered too unwieldy.

By Brian Martucci • Sept. 29, 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

Exelon’s climate arm backs grid-planning firm Continuum

“Technologies that help the utility be more efficient in terms of building infrastructure … is a space that we're looking at,” an Exelon executive said.

By Lamar Johnson • Sept. 24, 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

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

Efforts to curb data center speculation gain ground across the US

Large-load tariffs and other measures to weed out speculative projects are taking shape. Public backlash to data centers, shifting state-level policies and the utility profit model are complicating those efforts, stakeholders say.

By Brian Martucci • Sept. 23, 2026

It’s time for utility bill reform

Programs that serve broad public purposes should be financed through state general funds rather than hidden in your electric bill, writes Marc Brown at the Consumer Energy Alliance.

By Marc Brown • Sept. 22, 2026

Other New England states back Maine’s RTO adder complaint

The complaint at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is part of a trend of states seeking to end an extra 0.5% return utilities can earn for voluntarily joining a transmission organization.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 22, 2026

Texas PUC adopts softened rules on data center interconnection

The Public Utility Commission of Texas backed off the standards it proposed in March, eliminating a non-refundable interconnection fee and extending energization milestone deadlines.

By Diana DiGangi • Updated Sept. 21, 2026

Newsom vetoes bill to create California PUC inspector general

On Monday, Newsom signed a package of laws aimed at data centers, including strengthening energy reporting requirements and requiring regulators to create new rate structures.

By Meris Lutz • Updated Sept. 21, 2026

New York regulators approve 90-mile transmission line

The $3.3-billion project aims to improve downstate power delivery by 2030. It is being developed by New York Transco and the New York Power Authority.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 21, 2026

Blaze Equipment expands east with new Baltimore location and launches online ordering nationwide

Blaze expands nationwide with online ordering, rentals, equipment and expert support.

Sept. 21, 2026

Microsoft ‘preserving its ability’ to challenge data center transmission costs decision

It has until November to formally appeal the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s order to directly assign some costs of transmission. Dominion Energy has an October deadline to propose compliant policy changes.

By Diana DiGangi • Sept. 18, 2026

Hitachi to double US production of small and medium-sized power transformers

A Mississippi facility will produce transformers in the 10 MVA to 160 MVA range, designed for voltages up to 230 kV. The additional capacity “is expected to help alleviate industry-wide supply constraints,” a Hitachi official told Utility Dive.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 2026

House passes ratepayer protection bill to limit data center cost shifts

The bill would “largely reinforce” a transition that is already underway as more states adopt large-load tariffs and is unlikely to pass the Senate before the midterm elections, according to ClearView Energy Partners.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 17, 2026