Transmission

Major Midwest transmission line gets a big but uncertain federal boost

The Grain Belt Express could deliver cheap, clean power across the midwest. A $4.9B federal loan will help it get built — if Trump doesn’t block the funding.

By Jeff St. John . 3 December 2024

(Andrew Woodley/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Transmission

The Biden admin has a plan to get more mileage out of the power grid

The Department of Energy released a new roadmap to help the U.S. adopt tech that can give the grid a much-needed boost in capacity and reliability.

By Jeff St. John . 17 April 2024
Transmission

Smart tech could help fix the biggest barrier to building clean energy

A new report finds that "grid-enhancing technologies” can help gigawatts of solar and wind leapfrog the clean energy logjam — and save a ton of money.

By Jeff St. John . 22 February 2024
Transmission

Could 2024 be a breakout year for the transmission grid?

How can the U.S. build enough transmission lines to combat climate change? Here’s what’s on the table for grid reforms in 2024.

By Jeff St. John . 3 January 2024
Transmission

Suddenly, US electricity demand is spiking. Can the grid keep up?

Data centers, factories, heat pumps and EVs are putting increasing stress on a grid that isn’t growing fast enough, new data shows.

By Jeff St. John . 20 December 2023
Transmission

The clean energy backlog barely budged this year. What’s the way forward?

It takes way too long to connect new solar, wind and batteries to the grid. Policy fixes are needed, but they move slowly — in the meantime, new tech could help.

By Jeff St. John . 18 December 2023
Transmission

California's grid is hindering its climate goals. Can a new law fix it?

The state's grid isn't growing fast enough to support a surge of EVs, heat pumps and more. A new law offers a potential path forward — and could be a model for other states.

By Jeff St. John . 20 November 2023
Transmission

It's hard to connect clean power to the grid. New software can help

Startups Nira Energy and Pearl Street Technologies are helping clean-energy developers find rare openings on crowded grids, faster.

By Jeff St. John . 13 November 2023
Transmission

Three big transmission projects win $1.3B in DOE loans

The Department of Energy is boosting transmission lines in New England and the Intermountain West — a small step in solving a big barrier to clean energy.

By Jeff St. John . 30 October 2023
Transmission

A $7B power line from Kansas to Indiana moves closer to reality

The Grain Belt Express is an example of what’s required to carry clean power from where it’s plentiful to where it’s needed. Now, it’s almost ready to be built.

By Jeff St. John . 20 October 2023
Transmission

The US just made its biggest-ever investment in the grid

The power grid is not ready to handle the energy transition — or extreme weather. The Biden administration hopes $3.5B in new investments will fix that.

By Jeff St. John . 18 October 2023