Power Grid Experts And Operators Just Warned Congress

 

U.S. Power Grid Faces Dangerous Challenges

Top officials from the nation’s largest electric grid operators recently testified before Congress, sounding a stark warning that America’s power grid may not be ready for the future.

The urgency of the situation is underscored by the fact that demand for electricity is skyrocketing—especially from data centers, electric vehicles, and new manufacturing. However, the power plants and transmission lines needed to meet that demand are not being built fast enough.

At a March 25 hearing, six major grid operators told the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee that the U.S. could face electricity shortages without major changes. They said this growing mismatch between supply and demand is a national concern.

 

Who Keeps the Power Flowing?

Grid operators manage how electricity is delivered across large regions of the country. These organizations don’t own power plants or power lines. Instead, they work like air traffic controllers, making sure electricity is delivered where it’s needed, safely and reliably.

The grid operators at the hearing, a collaborative force for good, included PJM (Mid-Atlantic), MISO (Midwest), SPP (Central U.S.), NYISO (New York), ISO New England, and CAISO (California and the West). Together, they serve more than 200 million Americans, demonstrating a united front in managing the power grid.

 

Data Centers and AI Are Driving New Demand

All six grid operators agreed that electricity demand is rising faster than expected. The main reason is a boom in data centers—buildings filled with computers that power artificial intelligence (AI), cloud services, and cryptocurrency mining. These facilities run 24/7 and use massive amounts of electricity.

In some areas, like Texas (ERCOT), officials have received requests to connect over 50,000 megawatts of new energy-hungry projects. Demand in the Midwest (MISO) is expected to grow by 60% over the next 20 years. Even in regions with slower growth, like New England, demand is picking up due to electric heating and transportation policies.

 

Power Plants Are Retiring Too Quickly

While demand grows, many reliable power plants—like coal and natural gas—are shut down, often on a fixed schedule. Unlike wind and solar, these plants can produce electricity anytime, depending on the weather.

Operators worry that the pace of shutdowns is outpacing the ability to bring new resources online. They stressed the importance of slowing down retirements until enough replacements are ready. In some cases, operators are asking power plant owners to stay online longer to avoid shortages.

 

Renewables Alone Aren’t Enough

Most new projects in development are wind or solar, which can’t always provide power when needed. Grid operators say this creates a gap between when power is available and when it’s needed most—like on a hot summer afternoon or a freezing winter night.

They’re calling for more investment in battery storage, long-lasting power sources, and backup systems to ensure reliability. Until those are ready, they say the grid may be at risk if we rely too heavily on weather-dependent energy.

 

Winter Weather Is a New Threat

In the past, summer was the most stressful time for the power grid. Now, winter is becoming just as risky—or worse. During extreme cold snaps, natural gas pipelines can’t supply enough fuel for both heating homes and running power plants.

One operator shared that in February 2025, wind power dropped sharply during a storm, and only fast-acting gas plants prevented outages. Operators are increasing their winter planning margins to prepare for more of these events.

 

Transmission Lines Are Overloaded and Outdated

Even when there’s enough power, getting it where it needs to go is another challenge. Grid operators say the current network of transmission lines is too small and too old to handle the rising demand and the shift toward clean energy.

Regions are planning billions of dollars in new transmission projects, but these take years to approve and build. Meanwhile, clean energy projects are being delayed because there’s not enough space on the grid to connect them.

 

Connection Queues Are Jammed Up

Before a new power project can connect to the grid, it must undergo technical studies and approvals. But the number of requests has skyrocketed, creating massive backlogs. In some regions, projects wait three to four years or more.

Operators are reforming their approval systems to move faster and prioritize projects that are ready to go. But with hundreds of gigawatts stuck in line, the delays are still a significant barrier.

 

Some Power Plants Are Delaying Retirement

Because of these problems, some grid operators are encouraging older, dependable power plants to keep running longer. In the PJM region, over 1,000 megawatts of generation reversed their decision to retire. Other regions are building new fast-start gas plants to fill in the gaps while more renewables come online.

 

Market Reforms Are Speeding Up

To adapt, grid operators are updating their markets to better reward reliability. These market reforms, such as ISO New England’s change in electricity purchasing strategy to focus on high-demand seasons, are a beacon of hope. Others are improving price signals so dependable power is valued more during emergencies, instilling optimism about potential solutions.

 

Planning for Extreme Weather and Uncertainty

Operators are also investing in better forecasting tools to prepare for extreme weather and changing demand patterns. These tools help them plan for worst-case scenarios and avoid blackouts.

 

No Single Operator Can Solve This Problem

Above all, the experts said solving these issues requires better coordination between state, federal, and regional leaders. No single operator or government agency can fix the grid alone.

They called on Congress and federal regulators to support transmission development, speed up permitting, and ensure the market rewards reliable power. Without urgent action, they warned, the country’s power supply could fall short just when we need it most.

 

Source:

Based on the article “Nation’s Power Operators Warn Congress of a Coming Reliability Shortfall” from Power Magazine: https://www.powermag.com/nations-power-operators-warn-congress-of-a-coming-reliability-shortfall/