Initiative

Macro Grid Initiative

Advancing a stronger, more connected U.S. grid to reliably and affordably power a growing economy.

About

The grid wasn’t built for today’s energy demands. Antiquated infrastructure and a fragmented transmission system are limiting America’s ability to deliver power where it’s needed most.

The Macro Grid Initiative is the only integrated federal, regional, and state advocacy campaign to expand and upgrade the U.S. power grid. We are focused on advancing a stronger, more connected U.S. transmission network by expanding high-voltage regional and interregional power lines and deploying advanced transmission technologies to deliver reliable and affordable power to the factories and families that need it.

We work with regional partners, philanthropy, transmission providers, electric customers, regulators, and other stakeholders to advance these goals.

A stronger grid would provide affordable, reliable power.

2 More than 2 terawatts of generation and storage is trapped in U.S. interconnection queues waiting to connect to the grid, which represents 1.6x the total operating capacity on the grid.
35 North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) found that the U.S. needs 35 GW of interregional transfer capacity to avoid blackout scenarios by 2033.
$ 17 B Grid congestion cost Americans an estimated $17 billion in 2025.
27 B Transmission expansion could save U.S. ratepayers up to $27.7 billion per year.

Latest Reports

Transmission towers with a golden sunset in the background.

Why I Can’t Stop Talking About BAAJA

Blog

Transmission lines with a sunset background.

The Future of What Gets Built in PJM is Written by States – Energy Zones Can be Their Blueprint

Blog

Illustrated map of urban neighborhoods featuring blue and yellow lightning bolt location markers, highlighting designated energy zones across a connected electrical grid.

Energy Zones for PJM States: A Holistic Approach to Transmission Planning that Supports Resource Adequacy and State Energy Policy

Reports

Transmission Resources

ACORE’s Macro Grid Initiative, coalition partners, ally groups, and academic and government institutions have developed groundbreaking resources highlighting the benefits of expanding and upgrading the nation’s transmission grid, as well as the regulatory challenges that are blocking progress to those upgrades. These resources, organized by topic, are listed below.

ACORE Fact Sheets

A Smarter Grid Costs Less: How Advanced Transmission Technologies and High Voltage Transmission Support Energy Affordability

The Benefits of a Transmission Investment Tax Credit

The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026

Advanced Transmission Technologies

Fact Sheets:

About Advanced Transmission Technologies – WATT Coalition and AMP Coalition (August 2024)

Benefits of Advanced Transmission Technologies – WATT Coalition and AMP Coalition (August 2024)

For more information, check out the WATT Coalition and the AMP Coalition.

Reports:

Untapped Energy Efficiency Benefits of High-Performance Conductors – Norton White Energy, ACORE (August 2026)

Ambient-Adjusted Ratings and Dynamic Line Ratings - The Brattle Group, ACORE (July 2026)

Use of Advanced Transmission Technologies and Innovative Practices in Power Systems: Potential Benefits, Lessons Learned, and Recommendations  – WIRES, London Economics (August 2025)

Incorporating GETs and HPCs into Transmission Planning Under FERC Order 1920 – The Brattle Group, ACORE, Grid Strategies (April 2025)

Assessment and Evaluation of Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs) - Electric Power Engineers, ACORE (February 2025)

Advanced Grid Technologies: Governor Leadership to Spur Innovation and Adoption - National Governors Association (January 2025)

Resource Archive

Explore the MGI Resource Archive for a collection of past reports, research, and insights.

Browse the Resource Archive

Vision Statement

Macro Grid Initiative

“Expanding and upgrading the nation’s transmission network will deliver jobs and economic development, a cleaner environment, and lower costs for consumers.”

Vision Statement Supporters

The Macro Grid Initiative promotes investment in a 21st century transmission network that will drive job growth, reduce pollution, and save American consumers money. More than three dozen organizations have signed on in support of the Macro Grid Initiative’s Vision Statement.