DOE offers $1.9B for transmission reconductoring, advanced tech

The SPARK funding opportunity renames the Biden-era Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships program.

By Robert Walton • March 13, 2026

‘Clear warning signs’ as PJM wholesale power costs jump 54% in one year

Also, PJM’s last two base capacity auctions show a growing shortfall compared to its reserve margin targets, according to the grid operator’s market monitor. Prices will continue rising until large data center loads are addressed, it said.

By Ethan Howland • Updated March 14, 2026

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

PJM is now using ambient-adjusted transmission ratings. Other grid operators will soon follow.

While other grid operators are set to follow suit this year, the Midcontinent and New York grid operators don't plan to adopt the more precise line ratings until 2028.

By Ethan Howland • March 12, 2026

America’s power shortage is a market failure

Early buildout of the U.S. rail system was fragmented, with local projects often failing to connect regions. Grid developers today should pay heed, writes Maria Martinez of the Clean Economy Project.

By Maria Martinez • March 12, 2026

4 affordability solutions states and utilities can implement now

States can take steps to drive electricity cost savings more quickly as well as pursue long-term reform, write Allison Clements, a former member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and Lori Bird of the WRI Polsky Energy Center.

By Allison Clements and Lori Bird • March 11, 2026

FERC approves ComEd data center transmission agreements

FERC Chairman Swett and Commissioner LaCerte pushed back on concerns over inadequate review of ratepayer impacts: “The Commission will always reject a rate that seriously harms the consuming public.”

By Ethan Howland • March 11, 2026

NERC overstates reliability risks in long-term assessment: Grid Strategies

The North American Electric Reliability Corp.’s analysis uses low generation and interregional power flow assumptions but a high demand forecast, including from data centers, the consulting firm said.

By Ethan Howland • Updated March 11, 2026

MISO, SPP eye 500-kV cross-border projects to bolster reliability, save money

The proposed interregional projects would increase transfer capacity across the southern seam between the Midcontinent Independent System Operator and the Southwest Power Pool.

By Ethan Howland • March 9, 2026

When a buried marker starts talking back: Why RFID matters for marking + mapping underground utilities

The dirt keeps secrets, RFID-enabled markers carry the story of what’s below.

March 9, 2026

Drone attack simulation exposed a grid vulnerability, utilities say

Power grid asset owners and operators have growing concern around their ability to protect critical assets from drone attacks as the U.S. government warns energy companies to prepare for possible Iranian retaliation.

By Robert Walton • March 5, 2026

Tariffs drove construction input prices up to start 2026

January’s cost increases amounted to a “blistering” annualized rate of 7.1% for nonresidential input prices, according to Associated Builders and Contractors. Copper was up 80% year over year, iron and steel 58% and switchgear 67%.

By Sebastian Obando • March 3, 2026

Virginia, Indiana lawmakers pass surplus interconnection bills

Using existing surplus interconnection, such as at rarely-used peaker plants, can get generation and storage resources online faster and more cheaply than seeking new interconnection rights. PJM lags behind other grid operators in pursuing this. 

By Ethan Howland • Updated March 3, 2026

Public takeover of Tucson Electric Power would cost $4B, Brattle finds

A city-run utility would increase electric bills by $5.8 billion over 20 years, according to a study commissioned by the utility. “No one believes TEP’s accounting,” public power proponents countered.

By Robert Walton • March 2, 2026

PSEG sees investment opportunity as NJ eyes adding in-state generation

A bill was introduced this week in the New Jersey Legislature that would require a solicitation for gas-fired generation.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 27, 2026

More interregional transmission could save consumers billions: study

However, East Coast generators would see reduced revenue, giving them an incentive to oppose new transmission lines, researchers said.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 26, 2026

DOE loans Southern $26.5B for 5 GW of new gas, other grid investments

Calling it the largest loan in the agency’s history, DOE said it aims to deliver over $7 billion in cost savings for Georgia Power and Alabama Power customers.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 25, 2026

ConEd eyes $38B in capital spending through 2030

The downstate New York utility company sees robust demand growth from electric vehicles and buildings amid heightened reliability challenges and affordability concerns.

By Brian Martucci • Feb. 24, 2026

PJM proposes behind-the-meter reforms in data center colocation effort

The planned reform threatens the economic viability of new combined heat and power generation at industrial facilities in the PJM Interconnection, according to trade groups.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 24, 2026

What the Supreme Court tariff ruling means for construction

The court decision could drive a modest reduction in price escalation for electrical systems and fixtures, but materials-specific tariffs on steel, aluminum and copper products remain in place, experts said. 

By Sebastian Obando • Feb. 23, 2026

The electricity paradox: Driving affordability means infrastructure investment

Energy abundance, AI competitiveness and consumer affordability are not in conflict, but the power sector needs to show that growth can lower bills, not raise them, write Ray Gifford and Matt Larson from Wilkinson Barker Knauer. 

By Ray Gifford and Matt Larson • Feb. 23, 2026

PPL spending plan jumps 15%, to $23B, on transmission, grid hardening

A PPL-Blackstone Infrastructure joint venture is in talks with hyperscalers to supply their data centers with generation, including options that could be built quickly, a company official said.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 23, 2026

New Jersey regulators take first step to reform electric utility business model

Performance-based ratemaking, multiyear rate plans and lower utility returns are all options the Board of Public Utilities plans to consider. It recently approved hiring a consultant to assist a potential overhaul.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 23, 2026

DOE ‘emergency’ power plant orders help grid reliability: NERC official

However, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator's reliability remains at “high risk,” NERC’s John Moura said, and it's unclear whether its fast-track interconnection process will help.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 20, 2026

FirstEnergy 5-year spending plan jumps 30%, to $36B, driven by transmission

FirstEnergy is seeking a U.S. Department of Energy loan to pay half of a $2.5 billion gas-fired power plant planned for West Virginia.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 19, 2026

Improve transmission affordability by mending the regulatory gap

A two-pronged approach to planning could target inefficient spending while also spurring investments that promote beneficial transmission, writes Advanced Energy United’s Alex Lawton.

By Alex Lawton • Feb. 19, 2026