Daniel W. McInerney
Business Manager
Industry and IBEW News
A massive winter storm brought power outages to over 780,000 customers across the South and East, with PJM Interconnection forecasting record peak demand of 147,000 MW. The deep freeze threatens to cripple natural gas infrastructure and test regional grids serving tens of millions of Americans.
Winter storm conditions risk shuttering Appalachia gas wells and pipelines in bitter cold, potentially forcing more electricity outages in the East. PJM warned that pressure will mount across regional grids as the nation's largest grid operator exports power while managing unprecedented demand.
FERC has directed PJM to create new rules facilitating co-location of data centers with power plants, potentially favoring on-site natural gas generation. The regulations aim to accelerate interconnection while addressing reliability concerns and avoiding lengthy grid connection delays that can stretch 5-7 years.
America faces critical shortages of skilled electrical workers and electricity supply to support manufacturing reshoring and AI data centers. Morgan Stanley warns of a potential 20% power shortage by 2028 while Bureau of Labor Statistics projects nearly 80,000 electrician job openings over the next decade, with apprentice programs increasing 50% to address the gap.
Connecticut's 2026 gubernatorial race centers on electricity affordability as candidates navigate Trump administration policies shifting federal energy support away from renewables. Gov. Lamont pursues an "all-of-the-above" strategy including natural gas expansion, while facing criticism from both progressive Democrats favoring clean energy investments and Republicans seeking to eliminate public benefits charges on electric bills.
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