Core Sector: Load Growth and Customers

Virtual Roundtable Series for Utility 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 valuable 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, NARUC facilitated a series of virtual roundtables for utility 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 were open only to state utility commissioners. The objectives of the roundtable series were 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).

Roundtable Summaries: