Virtual Roundtable Series for Regulators: Load Growth and Large Loads

Premise: In response to forecasts for substantial electric load growth driven by electrification, reshoring of domestic manufacturing, and new types of discreet large loads such as data centers, NARUC convened a series of Demand Roundtables during its three large conferences in 2025. These events were well attended and generated several important findings.

Because of the importance of quickly connecting new large loads, the impacts such loads may have on electric system resource adequacy, reliability, and affordability, and the challenges and opportunities this presents for utility regulators, NARUC is facilitating a series of virtual roundtables for regulators during the first quarter of 2026. In contrast to the in-person roundtables in 2025, and to facilitate open and candid conversations, these discussions are open only to state utility commissioners. The objectives of the roundtable series are to:

• Provide utility regulators with the opportunity to share their perspectives and query their peers on how they are making decisions, important considerations, uncertainties, questions, and potential solutions to load growth, particularly from new large loads.
• Identify topics that may benefit from additional dialogue or research in the coming year.
• Gather successful strategies and approaches shared by members and disseminate to all NARUC members (anonymized if necessary).

The Roundtables will be held at the following dates and times. Advanced registration is required.

• Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. ET, register now.
• Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. ET, register now.

• Monday, March 9, 2026 at 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. ET, register now.

Additional details:

• Roundtables will be conducted as virtual peer-sharing video calls held exclusively for NARUC commissioners, facilitated by NARUC CPI staff.
• Each session will focus on one concern, impact, or strategy (e.g., large load interconnection, tariffs for large load customers, demand flexibility, etc.). An individual commissioner will “host” each session and help guide the selection of topics and discussion questions.
• Sessions will begin with a brief (less than 10 minute) expert presentation to develop common understanding of the dimensions of the issue for that session’s discussion.
• All attending members will then share their brief responses to a series of questions about their own experience in a round-robin format (questions will be shared in advance). Substantial time will be set aside for questions and discussion.
• Each session will be 90 minutes, with 15 minutes for introductions and expert presentation, 45 minutes for discussion questions round-robin, and 30 minutes for facilitated discussion and identification of follow-up steps or other actions.

• CPI staff will develop anonymized summaries and combine these into a short report-out at the conclusion of the series that will highlight key points of discussion, potential state strategies, and remaining challenges and gaps. This summary may also be used to guide the development of additional resources, such as an in-person workshop or more detailed written decision support resource.