AI for AI: Additive infrastructure for artificial intelligence

AI’s rise is reshaping US power and infrastructure at an unprecedented scale and speed.

By Tom Keefe, Vice Chair, US Power, Utilities & Renewables Leader; Keith Adams, US Renewable Energy Leader; Kate Hardin, Executive Director, and Carolyn Amon, Research Leader, Deloitte • July 28, 2025

Coal- and gas-fired power plants have a new best friend: data centers

The data center boom is here to stay, but so is climate change. Load growth is not an excuse to reverse progress and renew dependence on fossil fuel energy.

By Abbe Ramanan • July 25, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

Electricity Supply and Demand

After nearly two decades of flat demand, U.S. electricity consumption reached an all-time high in 2024 and is expected to continue rising. This trendline brings together the best of Utility Dive’s coverage of emerging trends in supply and demand and the decisions being made today that will impact the power system for years to come. 

By Utility Dive staff

NRC approvals move Palisades nuclear plant closer to restart

The Palisades plant is now authorized to receive new fuel and formally transition licensed reactor operators to on-shift status, Holtec International said in a statement.

By Robert Walton • July 25, 2025

FERC orders changes to PJM’s grid interconnection process, plus 3 other open meeting takeaways

Required changes include cost allocation for network upgrades, consideration of grid-enhancing technologies and energy storage modeling.

By Ethan Howland • July 25, 2025

US electricity demand to grow 2.5% annually through 2035: BofA Institute

Building electrification, data centers, industrial growth and electric vehicles are among the factors contributing to growth, according to the prediction.

By Robert Walton • July 24, 2025

FERC approves $16.4B Constellation-Calpine deal

As part of the deal, Constellation Energy agreed to sell four power plants in the PJM Interconnection to reduce its ability to exert market power.

By Ethan Howland • July 24, 2025

Energy Department’s flawed grid study props up expensive, zombie power plants

The most effective way to maintain grid reliability is to let planners plan, markets work and utilities build the resources they’ve already identified as the most affordable path forward.

By Matthias Fripp and Brendan Pierpont • July 24, 2025

FERC approves MISO, SPP fast-track interconnection reviews

Gas-fired power plants will likely make up most of the projects selected for the expedited reviews, according to ClearView Energy Partners.

By Ethan Howland • Updated July 24, 2025

PJM capacity prices set another record with 22% jump

The Trump administration will likely seize on the auction results to justify keeping thermal power plants, namely coal, in PJM from retiring, according to analysts with Capstone.

By Ethan Howland • July 23, 2025

Electric utilities will invest more than $1.1T by 2030 to meet demand growth: EEI

The electric utility sector’s capital expenditures “are higher than any other sector in the U.S. economy,” Edison Electric Institute President and CEO Drew Maloney said.

By Robert Walton • July 23, 2025

PJM leadership openings are an opportunity to chart a new course

Rather than addressing the root causes of its problems, the organization blames states for supply and infrastructure shortages, often defending the very policies that are driving up customer costs.

By David Lapp • July 22, 2025

Wood Mackenzie sees extended ‘sunset’ for costly coal power

Coal is more expensive than gas or renewables in the United States, but a slowdown in the buildout of those alternatives will likely extend its use, the firm’s report said.

By Brian Martucci • July 21, 2025

Why the nuclear energy renaissance is real — and necessary

The technologies, economics and motivations driving the modern nuclear revival differ fundamentally from what came before.

By Erik Funkhouser • July 21, 2025

Governors seek more influence over PJM amid ‘crisis of confidence’

Nine governors representing the majority of electric customers in the grid operator’s footprint said they want a say in filling two vacant board seats. 

By Ethan Howland • Updated July 18, 2025

Trump unveils $92B in energy and AI investments for Pennsylvania

Google, Blackstone and FirstEnergy announced multibillion-dollar Pennsylvania projects at the summit, including new data centers and new gas plants to power them.

By Diana DiGangi • July 17, 2025

Trump taps Project 2025 contributor to fill vacant FERC seat

David LaCerte works at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. He served during Trump’s first term and helped on Project 2025, the conservative road map to “deconstruct the Administrative State.”

By Ethan Howland • July 17, 2025

With Blackstone venture, PPL is ‘biggest winner’ from data center summit

The Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit, which President Trump attended, touted heavy investments in AI and power infrastructure. Jefferies analysts said PPL scored a victory there.

By Ethan Howland • July 17, 2025

Law judge calls for Minnesota PUC to reject $6.2B Allete private equity deal

The proposed private equity model isn’t in the public interest, an administrative law judge said.

By Ethan Howland • July 16, 2025

Georgia Power’s new IRP keeps coal plants online to serve data centers

The integrated resource plan approved by regulators on Tuesday also calls for up to 4,000 MW of renewable resources by 2035 and more than 1,500 MW of storage.

By Robert Walton • July 16, 2025

The regulator’s dilemma: balancing grid modernization with rising power bills

Load growth and aging infrastructure require investment, but customer electricity prices are up 4.5% nationally, almost twice the 2.4% national inflation rate, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 15, 2025

Natural gas: The workhorse of American energy dominance and security

Natural gas is a vital export to allies in Europe and Asia, a backstop for grid reliability during peak demand and a bridge fuel that complements the integration of renewable resources.

By Brigham McCown • July 15, 2025

Solar continues to dominate new generation ... for now

The United States added about 12 GW of generating resources between January and April of this year, mostly from solar, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

By Meris Lutz • July 15, 2025

Google to buy up to 3 GW of hydro power from Brookfield

The technology company will begin by buying power from dams totaling 670 MW in the PJM Interconnection, where power supplies are tight.

By Ethan Howland • July 15, 2025

Will FERC stand up for competitive power markets? Our grid depends on it.

With hundreds of billions of dollars expected to be spent on grid projects, it’s time for FERC to reaffirm its commitment to market competition — and prevent utility self-dealing.

By Andrew Waranch • July 14, 2025

Nuclear could replace wind power at Lava Ridge site in Idaho

Sawtooth Energy and Development said it plans to build a 462-MW nuclear power plant on public land previously earmarked for a wind farm that President Trump halted his first day in office. 

By Brian Martucci • July 14, 2025