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Our electric grid wasn’t built for this kind of demand

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Why This Matters

The current U.S. electric grid faces significant challenges in meeting rising demand due to outdated infrastructure and high costs of expansion. This situation underscores the urgent need for modernization to ensure reliable, sustainable power for consumers and the economy. Addressing these issues is critical for supporting future technological advancements and combating climate change.

Key Takeaways

Speed-to-power is being limited by speed-to-build. The U.S. electric grid is the largest and most expensive machine on the planet. Its interconnected pathways cover nearly 7 million miles, serve 400 million customers, and its value is placed at about $1.5 trillion. To build it today, the grid would cost almost $5 trillion.