Blaming data centers for PJM supply challenges misses the bigger picture

Reliability will not be secured by focusing on a single industry. PJM and policymakers must take a comprehensive, solutions-oriented approach to grid management.

By Todd Snitchler • Sept. 10, 2025

Smarter data for a smarter grid: AI-powered lidar is transforming utility infrastructure

With scalable, intelligent data classification, utilities can move beyond reactive maintenance and into predictive decision-making.

By James Conlin • Sept. 9, 2025

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

FERC transmission rate decision sparks dissent over possible bill increases

In the decision involving American Electric Power, Evergy and Berkshire Hathaway Energy, FERC Commissioner Lindsay See said she was open to transmission incentive reforms.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 9, 2025

Indiana governor seeks lower utility rates: ‘We can’t take it anymore.’

Utility companies that could be affected include AES, American Electric Power, CenterPoint Energy, Duke Energy and NiSource.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 8, 2025

Fed primed for rate cut as hiring slumps, unemployment inches up to 4.3%

Traders in interest rate futures, responding to new labor market data, increased the odds that the Fed will cut the benchmark interest rate by at least 0.75 percentage point before next year.

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 5, 2025

Trump’s FERC nominees pledge agency independence in Senate confirmation hearing

Nominees Laura Swett and David LaCerte said they support the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s independence and the need to be agnostic on generating technologies.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 5, 2025

Utilities could add 147 GW of new large loads, boosting peak demand 20%: WoodMac

Most large loads under construction are located in regulated markets, but there is growing interest in siting these projects in deregulated markets, according to a new report.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 5, 2025

FERC in Focus: Will the agency maintain its independence under Trump 2.0?

With two Republican nominees preparing to join the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, former commissioners, experts and agency observers say they are watching several key areas to gauge whether the body will remain autonomous.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 4, 2025

Hitachi unveils $1B grid manufacturing investment, including Virginia transformer factory

The new $457 million transformer production facility in South Boston, Virginia, is expected to begin operations in 2028.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 4, 2025

It’s time for customer-oriented approaches to generator interconnection

The electric power system requires seminal reform. Open access should remain a vital principle of grid regulation.

By Travis Kavulla and Eric Blank • Sept. 3, 2025

PJM stakeholders overwhelmingly pan proposal for data center interconnection

Amazon and others urged PJM to drop the proposal and instead focus on how to improve load forecasting, bolster the grid interconnection process and strengthen regional transmission planning.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 3, 2025

Rethinking transmission policy for an energy emergency

While a bidding process is often presumed to deliver consumer benefits, bidding efforts for transmission have not followed that pattern.

By Benjamin Dierker • Sept. 2, 2025

Illinois regulators, others urge FERC to dismiss Ameren push to build $1.9B in MISO projects

Ameren Illinois contends it has the right to build 765-kV transmission projects in Illinois that are part of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s Tranche 2.1 regional plan.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 28, 2025

IEP plans 944-MW behind-the-meter gas plant to power PA data center

Energy storage will be built alongside the gas plant, and there will be a backup grid connection, project partners said. It’s unclear what regulatory approvals are needed for the project to move forward.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 28, 2025

Import tariffs could slow transmission development, drive up utility costs: Morningstar

With electric bills already rising, utility regulators may shield ratepayers from tariff-related costs, analysts with the ratings agency said.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 26, 2025

TXNM Energy seeks state regulators’ approval for $11.5B Blackstone acquisition

New Mexico advocates are lining up to oppose the deal. Blackstone “has a long track record of putting profits above people,” said Mariel Nanasi, executive director of New Energy Economy.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2025

PacifiCorp urges FERC to dismiss challenges to adding $1.7B in wildfire costs to transmission rates

The Bonneville Power Administration, Powerex, Deseret Generation & Transmission Co-Operative and others contend PacifiCorp has failed to show its wildfire-related costs were prudent.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 25, 2025

How grid-enhancing technologies are shaping New York’s planning and protecting ratepayers

New technologies and planning approaches can help speed the energy transition while ensuring power system reliability and affordability.

By Schuyler Matteson • Aug. 22, 2025

Black Hills, Northwestern agree to merge, with eye on serving data centers

Data center development — and their need for major power infrastructure — may drive further consolidation among utilities, according to Jefferies analysts.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 21, 2025

Win-wins are key to securing interregional transmission buy-in: experts

Projects like CapX2020 have found success because there was “something in it for each one of the utilities ... they all saw somewhat of a common vision,” said Beth Soholt, executive director of the Clean Grid Alliance.

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 20, 2025

FERC paved the way for smart grid solutions. States must take the next step.

Grid planners can quickly squeeze more out of existing assets using grid-enhancing technology. State regulators should evaluate these options for local upgrades and longer-term regional planning.

By Rich Glick and Neil Chatterjee • Aug. 15, 2025

White House names Democrat Rosner to lead FERC

Agency observers expect the White House will replace Rosner once two pending Republican FERC nominees — Laura Swett and David LaCerte — are seated at the commission.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 14, 2025

New Jersey delays JCP&L offshore wind transmission project by 30 months

The Trump administration has moved to slow or halt the development of renewables, including New Jersey's first offshore wind project, the 1.5-GW Atlantic Shores 1.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 14, 2025

ISO-NE should make its governance transparent, accessible and accountable

With a leadership change coming in January, ISO New England has a chance to launch a new era of governance that engages with the communities it serves.

By Mireille Bejjani and Steven Botkin • Aug. 13, 2025

Multidirectional flows of power and information are the grid’s future

In the frenzy to meet rising energy demand, utilities and others often overlook the value of power system innovations, industry participants say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 12, 2025