Transmission

This novel power line could link 3 grids across 3 time zones

North Plains Connector has earned backing from the Energy Department and utilities, and could deliver huge cost and reliability benefits — if states give it the OK.

By Jeff St. John . 3 September 2026

Transmission tower and a blue sky — (Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Wind

Is Maine finally about to make wind power happen?

For nearly two decades, the state has sought to bring wind turbines to its breezy northern reaches. Now it's one step closer to realizing the vision.

By Sarah Shemkus . 25 August 2026
Energy markets

PJM has finally greenlit a lot of new clean power. Can it get built?

More than 50 GW of solar, wind, and batteries can now connect to PJM’s grid. It could help drive down costs — if states, utilities, and hyperscalers make it happen.

By Jeff St. John . 24 August 2026
Data centers

PJM wants data centers to bring their own power. Pennsylvania’s on it.

The biggest U.S. energy market hopes to make data centers find their own power resources or face grid cutoffs. Gov. Shapiro is aligning his state with that plan.

By Jeff St. John . 20 August 2026
Batteries

In Puerto Rico, Trump admin backs big battery project but snubs solar

The Energy Department closed a $490 million loan to Pattern Energy for a 220-MW battery project in Puerto Rico, which could be tied to natural gas instead of solar.

By Maria Gallucci . 12 August 2026
Utilities

3 ways to fix California's utility spending problem — if lawmakers act

SB 905 would curb returns on wildfire costs, seek new financing, and explore performance metrics to curb sky-high electric rates. Can it overcome utility opposition?

By Jeff St. John . 11 August 2026
Politics

Trump is blocking billions of dollars of grants that would fix the grid

The Department of Energy has canceled or stalled funding for thousands of projects that would improve the country’s stressed grid — and not just in blue states.

By Jeff St. John . 6 August 2026
Corporate procurement

Trump admin bans ‘new’ foreign-made inverters. What does that mean?

A just-issued national security ban appears to exclude existing inverters for solar and battery projects — but future models could face restrictions, experts say.

By Jeff St. John . 29 July 2026
Transmission

Is New England’s new hydropower transmission line paying off?

The flow has been stop and go for the first few months, but the line shows plenty of potential to boost Massachusetts’ renewable energy supply.

By Sarah Shemkus . 16 June 2026
Transmission

This software firm has a plan to take grid-enhancing tech nationwide

Most U.S. grid operators already use OATI’s software. Now the firm wants to tap AI and data to boost transmission capacity — and it’s asking the DOE for funding.

By Jeff St. John . 10 June 2026
Transmission

NYC’s big, clean power line is officially up and running

The Champlain Hudson Power Express is bringing tons of hydropower to the city — but amid years of drought, can Canada spare the clean electricity?

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 5 June 2026