Transmission 2026: Durable Infrastructure and Regulations for a New Digital Age

Why It Matters

Decisions on cost allocation, market design, and faster grid buildout will determine whether the power system can reliably support growth in AI/data centers and electrification without sharply higher consumer bills. Effective regulatory and industry coordination is vital to prevent reliability shortfalls and curb rising costs for households and businesses.

Summary

At the Atlantic Council’s Transmission 2026 forum, industry and policy leaders warned that the U.S. power grid faces urgent pressure from aging infrastructure, long procurement lead times, inefficient permitting, and surging demand from data centers and electrification. Panels focused on tariff and ratemaking reforms to fairly allocate costs, faster interconnection for new generators and large loads, and planning and market adjustments to avoid under- or over-building capacity. Speakers highlighted ongoing regulatory reforms, utility- and RTO-led transmission expansion, and public-private partnerships — including the new Utilize Coalition — as central to meeting mid-decade reliability and affordability goals. FERC Commissioner David Rosner delivered keynote remarks underscoring the need for coordinated federal and state action to implement these changes.

Original Description

Grid operators, regulators, and experts gather for a conversation on innovative strategies for the buildout and operation of power grids to accommodate new generators and historic demand growth, including from AI workloads.