Modernizing the grid for unprecedented demand

By David Rosner

This is a lightly edited excerpt of testimony recently provided to the U.S. House’s Energy and Commerce, Energy Subcommittee hearing titled, “Oversight of FERC: Advancing Affordable and Reliable Energy for All Americans.” 

I am honored to appear before you today alongside my colleagues to discuss FERC’s work to deliver affordable and reliable energy for all Americans and our commitment to upholding Congress’s vision for a bipartisan, independent, resource-neutral regulator.

That is our mission. While it is simple to articulate, it is increasingly complex to execute. Energy demand is growing at a pace not seen in a generation, energy technologies continue to evolve, and innovation across our economy is reshaping how energy infrastructure is planned, built and used by consumers. Furthermore, our energy systems face these pressures at a time when families and small businesses have been struggling with high prices, including their utility bills.

While meeting this moment presents challenges, it also creates opportunities for us to modernize America’s energy infrastructure. Upgrading our energy system is necessary to ensure every family and business receives the reliable and affordable power they depend on, and doing so is essential for our country’s economic competitiveness and national security.

Over the past week, Winter Storm Fern reminded us of the importance of this work. Thanks to line workers, pipeliners, rig workers and the rest of our energy workforce, the electric and natural gas transmission networks have performed well so far. But many systems were still stressed near the limit.

So, let me now share some of the specific actions FERC is taking to realize the opportunities and address the challenges before us:

First, we are accelerating new electric generation of all kinds: Building the energy resources needed to meet growing demand and reduce consumer costs was my top focus in 2025. We implemented FERC’s landmark Order No. 2023 generator interconnection reforms and fast-tracked more than 50 gigawatts of shovel-ready power plants. Looking forward, I am encouraging grid operators to deploy automation and artificial intelligence tools that have been shown to accelerate steps in the interconnection study process from years to weeks.

Second, we are deploying forward-looking grid planning, centered around reliability, affordability and economic growth: This year, FERC will begin acting on electric transmission providers’ proposals to implement FERC Order No. 1920, which modernized long-term transmission planning. When I arrived as a commissioner, this rule divided the commission along party lines. My proudest accomplishment was working with colleagues to make the final version bipartisan and unanimous by incorporating more input from our state partners.

Third, we are emphasizing predictability, speed and legal durability for infrastructure permitting: Since I last testified before this committee, FERC has issued 97 permits for hydropower and natural gas projects. In many instances, we are moving from NEPA review to final permit more than 30% faster than was typical during the last decade. And this is without compromising quality—FERC’s permits have been routinely upheld in court in recent years, and we continue to weigh the views of all parties in our orders.

Fourth, we are embracing innovative pathways to power data centers and other large loads while protecting consumers: The commission took significant actions in December and January, implementing programs in the PJM and SPP regions to pair new large loads with new generation. Such pairing reduces how much these projects lean on the grid, minimizes the need to construct additional transmission upgrades, promotes flexible operation, and helps ensure that new loads pay their fair share. Put simply, the goal is to lower costs, protect grid reliability, and help new customers and power plants get online faster.

Fifth, we continue to enhance grid security and reliability through modernization and flexibility: It is essential that we continue to deploy 21st-century reliability solutions, including advanced demand response, dynamic line ratings, predictive artificial intelligence, and emerging cybersecurity technologies.

Sixth, we are staying laser-focused on energy affordability: In addition to the examples I have already mentioned, over the last two years, FERC has approved expanded competitive electric markets in the West and in the Southeast, which will enable customers to access lower-cost power. And in PJM we approved a temporary price cap that saved consumers more than $12 billion. It is my priority to deliver more examples like this in 2026.

Finally, I will conclude my remarks highlighting the value of our current commission’s consensus-driven mindset. I am immensely proud that the vast majority of orders I voted on have been bipartisan and unanimous, including every single energy project permit. This consensus creates regulatory predictability and legal durability, and our work is stronger because it benefits from five sets of perspectives and experiences. I thank my colleagues for their collaboration, which I am confident will continue to deliver for our country. 

Read the full testimony here.

David Rosner is a commissioner for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

_{*The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of EnergyPlatform.News.}