The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Electricity has released the draft 2026 National Transmission Needs Study, identifying growing demand for additional transmission infrastructure to maintain grid reliability and accommodate rising electricity consumption across the United States. The agency has opened a 60-day public comment period before finalizing the study.
Prepared under the Federal Power Act, the study evaluates current and future transmission constraints, identifies areas with significant congestion, and provides guidance to support long-term transmission planning and investment decisions.
The draft report attributes increasing transmission needs to rapid load growth from data centers, domestic manufacturing, large industrial facilities, and broader economic expansion. It also highlights the need for additional transmission capacity to integrate new generation resources, connect new electricity loads, and reduce congestion across the grid.
DOE will accept public comments on the draft study through September 7, 2026, and plans to hold public roundtables during the summer before publishing the final report.
To access the full report, click here