Clean energy groups, states oppose MISO’s large load-generation study plan

The grid operator’s proposed fast-track study process for large loads with generation lacks ratepayer protections and favors vertically integrated utilities over independent power producers, critics said.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Oct. 26, 2026

Inside the resilience gap

The 2026 State of Grid Resilience report puts data behind the pressures utility leaders face as they strengthen resilience while balancing affordability and performance.

Oct. 26, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Transmission

Utilities are preparing to spend billions building out transmission at a time when affordability is a major concern.Get a handle on what’s at stake and the solutions being offered in this trendline.

By Utility Dive staff

Utilities turn to AI to manage rising power demand — from AI

Applications include maintenance prioritization and demand forecasting, but AI outputs that are uneven, or those that can’t be audited, constrain broader deployment. “Most utilities could not reconstruct what an AI system read, what it did and why,” one expert told Utility Dive.

By Marlene Wilden • Oct. 22, 2026

Jigar Shah blames the wrong target for rising electricity bills

With utility returns trending downward, the data does not support a national “utility greed” narrative, writes Guy Caruso, former administrator for the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

By Guy Caruso • Oct. 22, 2026

LS Power COO sees sweeping power sector investing needs: gas, renewables, transmission and more

“The demand growth we're experiencing today is real,” LS Power’s Darpan Kapadia said. “The supply side is going to take time to catch up, and the markets are screaming that.”

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 20, 2026

12 actions to tackle energy affordability

Modernizing the grid is a complex, multi-dimensional challenge; improving energy affordability is similarly complicated, writes Bryce Yonker, executive director of Grid Forward.

By Bryce Yonker • Oct. 20, 2026

Grid equipment manufacturer ABB sees US orders rise 82%

“Utilities continue to invest in refurbishment and build-out of the electrical grid to secure power availability and efficiency,” the company said Tuesday.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 20, 2026

FERC approves ISO-NE ‘asset condition’ transmission review process

Commissioners David Rosner and Judy Chang said other regions should adopt similar review processes for local transmission projects, which states and consumer advocates say need more oversight.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 19, 2026

Grading the grid: How ISOs stack up against FERC’s large-load mandate

Utilities, developers and investors are all left asking the same question: how close is each grid operator to meeting FERC’s mandate?

Oct. 19, 2026

FERC proposes easing regulatory pathway for gas pipeline, LNG projects

“The only current restriction on getting American gas is our ability to get the gas to market and the infrastructure bottlenecks,” FERC Chairman Laura Swett said.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 16, 2026

Reliability standards for AI data centers, crypto miners move closer to adoption

NERC’s Board of Trustees on Monday voted to adopt reliability standards for AI data centers and other computational loads. The proposed rules now go to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for approval.

By Robert Walton • Updated Oct. 27, 2026

PJM plans to study SoftBank’s Ohio AI project under state agreement approach

The project, dubbed “Flagship,” includes 765-kV transmission lines to be built by AEP Ohio, roughly 10 GW in data center load and about 10.2 GW in gas-fired generation.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 14, 2026

FERC approves Duke large load transmission rules despite cost-shift concerns

Commissioner David Rosner said that Duke Energy Carolinas’ proposal offers “meaningful, if imperfect, new protections,” adding that consumer protections are “inadequate across the country” and FERC may need to take further action.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 13, 2026

160K customers without power in Southeastern US as Hurricane Isaias recovery enters third day

Peak outages numbered approximately 950,000. Utilities said grid modernization efforts kept more customers from losing power and sped service restoration for those who did. FPL said its underground lines performed eight times better than overhead ones.

By Robert Walton • Updated Oct. 12, 2026

US electric, gas utility rate requests spike to $4.5B in Q3: PowerLines

The cumulative value of third quarter rate requests more than doubled from the third quarter of 2025, according to a report from the advocacy group.  

By Robert Walton • Oct. 9, 2026

Power system plans to meet large-load demand miss near-term solutions: analysts

Major work by regional planners is focused on flexible access to existing transmission. Some say greater emphasis on advanced transmission technologies can quickly and cost-effectively create room for new large loads.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 8, 2026

DOE presses PJM on ratepayer protections from large load costs

“A capability to continuously track whether a project enters into service ... or is delayed, reduced, or cancelled, can help assign costs for new generation to the customers responsible for those investments,” the DOE said in a rare filing at FERC.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Oct. 8, 2026

DC’s green energy mandate burdens those who can afford it least

The District of Columbia should review its renewable portfolio standard requirements, with solar credits adding about $20 to monthly electric bills, writes Joy Ditto, former American Public Power Association CEO.

By Joy Ditto • Oct. 8, 2026

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

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