NERC forecasts peak demand to rise 24% on new data center loads

“The system is changing faster than the infrastructure needed to support it,” said John Moura, NERC's director of reliability assessments and performance analysis.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 30, 2026

Republican, Democratic senators call for project certainty at permitting reform hearing

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., said permitting talks could resume if the Trump administration stops its moves to thwart wind and solar projects.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 29, 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

FERC in 2026: Rising costs cloud regulators’ options on data centers, transmission and more

DOE’s colocation proposal and transmission planning reforms will set FERC’s agenda this year against a backdrop of rising concern over affordability, former commission chairmen and experts say in our 2026 outlook.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 29, 2026

How utilities can prepare for the next wave of data center growth

The U.S. grid is unprepared to handle data center power needs. Utilities want to invest, but permitting hurdles remain a major impediment, writes Nexans North America President Tim King.

By Tim King • Jan. 28, 2026

DOE expands use of emergency orders amid winter freeze

Waivers issued Monday for the PJM Interconnection, New York ISO and Duke Energy build on emergency directives the Department of Energy ordered over the weekend.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 27, 2026

In 2026, virtual power plants must scale or risk being left behind

The AI data center frenzy is shifting utilities’ focus to large-scale generation. But advocates say flexible, distributed energy resources still provide the biggest bang for the buck, according to our 2026 DER outlook.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 27, 2026

The new equation for energy security in 2026

Energy systems will be shaped by those who build resilient, diversified portfolios that balance reliability, policy, emissions, cost and independence, writes Honeywell Process Technology CEO Ken West.

By Ken West • Jan. 26, 2026

Get AI ready: A practical path for electric and water utilities

Why AI readiness is critical for utilities—and how to build data trust to get there

By Phil Schwarz, Industry Strategist for Energy and Resources, OpenText • Jan. 26, 2026

FERC upholds MISO, SPP fast-track generator reviews

The agency also approved a 1.2-GW pumped storage project planned by Rye Development in Washington.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 23, 2026

DOE orders diesel generators to be ready as electric sector prepares for Winter Storm Fern

Secretary of Energy Chris Wright asked grid operators to be prepared to utilize up to 35 GW of backup generation. A consumer advocate warned the plan is unworkable.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 23, 2026

FERC commissioners see progress in PJM data center, power supply plans

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Laura Swett said she is “encouraged that PJM and its stakeholders are working cooperatively now, much more so than they have in the recent past.”

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 23, 2026

Massachusetts can make ‘bottom-up’ distribution reforms for a better grid

Adopting a distribution system operator, or DSO, structure would make the grid cleaner, more flexible and more affordable, writes Corrin Moss. 

By Corrin Moss • Jan. 22, 2026

PJM cost concerns bleed into transmission planning

A proposed $1.7-billion, 765-kV power line across central Pennsylvania by NextEra Energy and Exelon could become the “poster child” for overbuilding new transmission infrastructure, according to that state’s ratepayer advocate. 

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 22, 2026

Labor, tariffs collide with data center boom

Contractors report booming demand for certain types of builds, particularly data centers and power projects to support them. But outside those sectors, workforce shortages and tariffs weigh on construction.

By Sebastian Obando • Jan. 21, 2026

PJM board calls for backstop auction in data center interconnection plan

The PJM Interconnection’s board also called on stakeholders to consider extending a price collar on capacity auctions to limit their effect on ratepayers.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 20, 2026

Xcel-led coalition proposes Minnesota-North Dakota transmission expansion

All new infrastructure for the line would be within the right-of-way of an existing 345-kV line that faces thermal and voltage issues, the five utilities said.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 20, 2026

The week in 5 numbers: DJT v. PJM, offshore wind prevails in court

In another legal setback, a judge said the government violated the Constitution by canceling clean energy grants.

By Meris Lutz • Jan. 20, 2026

The data center dependency crisis: When our grid can’t function without big tech

We're sleepwalking into a future where our electric grid depends on the voluntary cooperation of private technology companies because the short-term benefits are too attractive to resist, writes Mothusi Pahl of Hartwell and Loche.

By Mothusi Pahl • Jan. 16, 2026

Trump administration pushes PJM to hold ‘emergency’ auction to supply data centers

Capstone analysts said the proposal lacks binding authority, “reinforcing that this is policy signaling, not an imminent market reform.”

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 16, 2026

Tariffs push construction input prices higher

The latest PPI report presents “plenty of cause for concern,” according to Associated Builders and Contractors. Switchgear, switchboard and industrial controls equipment was up 11.1% from last year; copper wire and cable were up 11.7% and unprocessed energy materials were down 4.9%.

By Sebastian Obando • Jan. 15, 2026

Public Citizen challenges cost recovery for $546M PSE&G transmission project

A $6.6 million settlement between Public Service Electric and Gas and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission indicates costs from the project were imprudent, Public Citizen said.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 15, 2026

PJM trims near-term load forecast on stricter data center vetting, economic outlook

However, the PJM Interconnection expects long-term load growth to surge past its estimates released a year ago.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 15, 2026

Illinois AG files objections to ComEd data center agreements at FERC

The agreements are based on payment models in which the offtaker promises to pay a minimum and post security if its usage does not match its commitment. The state argues this does not guarantee enough revenue to cover the transmission costs.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 14, 2026

5 takeaways from Xcel CEO Bob Frenzel’s talk at the Minneapolis Fed

Supply chains are “actually degrading” while competition for engineering, construction and procurement services from hyperscalers is driving up costs for utilities, Frenzel said. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 12, 2026

Senate bill exempts fully isolated large loads from FERC, DOE regulation

The bill affecting data centers and other energy-intensive sectors may face opposition from utilities who see it as a threat to their revenue, according to one industry expert who called it “good for the public” and “extremely confident developers.”

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 12, 2026