Major Utility Companies Collaborate on PJM Expansion Project

November 18, 2024

The PJM Interconnection serves the Mid-Atlantic, as well as parts of the Midwest and Southern U.S.

Rows of power line towers with insulators and wires in a rural landscape with canals.

The following article was originally published by The Southern Maryland Chronicle on Oct. 21, 2024.


In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, three major utilities — Dominion Energy Virginia, American Electric Power, and FirstEnergy Corp. — have come together to address the growing energy challenges within the PJM Interconnection footprint. These companies have proposed several regional electric transmission projects aimed at enhancing grid reliability and meeting future energy demands. PJM Interconnection oversees the movement of wholesale electricity across 13 states, primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and extending into parts of the Midwest and South.


The utilities’ joint planning agreement, announced in a press release from Dominion Energy, represents an innovative approach to meeting the region’s escalating energy needs. This collaboration is the result of increasing demand for electricity, driven by the rise of electrification and the expansion of data centers, particularly those supporting the artificial intelligence boom.


PJM’s regional footprint includes some of the nation’s most densely populated areas, where demand for power is expected to multiply significantly in the coming decade. A recent study by Americans for a Clean Energy Grid stressed the importance of PJM engaging in “proactive, scenario-based, long-term planning” to address the anticipated surge in electricity usage. As states in the PJM region pursue ambitious clean energy goals, utilities are being pushed to transition from traditional energy sources to renewable alternatives, creating further strain on the grid.



Virginia, known as the “data center capital of the world,” is a microcosm of the challenges utilities face across the PJM region. Aaron Ruby, a spokesperson for Dominion Energy, said that Virginia is experiencing “the largest growth in power demand since the years following WWII.” According to Ruby, power demand in the state is growing at an annual rate of more than 5% and is projected to double over the next 15 years — a growth rate that is nearly five times higher than what the state has seen over the past 15 years.



The joint effort by Dominion Energy, American Electric Power, and FirstEnergy is seen as a necessary step to address these increasing pressures on the grid. The companies’ proposal includes the construction of several new high-voltage transmission lines — specifically, 765-kilovolt (kV), 500-kV, and 345-kV lines — in key areas of Virginia, Ohio, and West Virginia. These projects were submitted to PJM’s Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (RTEP), a critical part of maintaining grid reliability in the face of growing demand.


Ed Baine, president of Dominion Energy Virginia, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, stating that the dynamic energy landscape requires more regional cooperation to build large-scale transmission infrastructure. “By leveraging the expertise and resources of three industry leaders whose transmission zones border one another, we’re better able to develop superior and more cost-effective solutions required to effectively resolve reliability issues across the PJM region,” Baine said.


The rapid pace of electrification and the shift to renewable energy has created unique challenges for utilities operating within PJM’s territory. As states move toward meeting their energy and climate goals, power providers are tasked with balancing the retirement of older, traditional energy sources with the integration of less familiar renewable options. The joint planning agreement aims to address these challenges by proposing large-scale infrastructure improvements that can support the region’s evolving energy needs.


Despite the urgency of the situation, it remains too early to determine the financial impact these projects will have on consumers. According to Ruby, PJM is not expected to select projects until early 2025. Even then, the installation and construction of the proposed transmission lines would take several more years to complete. Ruby explained that “if selected, they would then undergo a multi-year process for route selection, environmental and other field studies, and state and local permitting,” during which the cost implications for ratepayers would be evaluated.


In addition to the joint projects, Dominion Energy, American Electric Power, and FirstEnergy have also submitted proposals for other transmission initiatives to PJM, indicating a continued focus on improving the region’s energy infrastructure.

As PJM faces increasing demand and the challenge of integrating more renewable energy into the grid, the partnership between these three utilities represents a forward-looking approach to ensuring reliable and sustainable energy for the future.


You can read the original story here

One Last Round: Why the Purple Tee Classic Matters to Me

By Russell Lacey • August 31, 2026
Every golfer has a round they remember. It might be a personal best, a long putt that somehow found the cup, or a perfect drive down the middle of the fairway. For me, the most meaningful round has less to do with my score and more to do with the people gathered around the first tee. That round is the Purple Tee Classic. On Thursday, September 17, 2026 , Metro Bethesda Rotary will host the 20th Annual Purple Tee Classic at Whiskey Creek , with a 10:00 a.m. shotgun start. This will be my third year leading the tournament, and my final year in that leadership role. That makes this year especially meaningful to me. More Than a Golf Tournament The Purple Tee Classic is a day of golf, but it is really about much more than a day on the course. It brings together business owners, community members, Rotarians, friends, families, veterans, and first responders around a shared purpose. The fundraiser supports veterans and first responders, people who have served, protected, and supported our communities in ways most of us will never fully understand. Golf gives us the setting. Service gives the day its meaning. That is what I value most about Rotary. The organization creates opportunities for people to put relationships, resources, and time to work for something larger than themselves. The Rotary principle of “Service Above Self” is not just a phrase. It is something we are asked to live out by showing up, contributing, and following through. The Purple Tee Classic is one of the clearest examples of that principle in action. Why This Final Year Matters Leading a tournament like this takes more than setting a tee time and asking people to come out and play. It takes planning, coordination, communication, fundraising, and a team willing to handle the many details most participants will never see. That is one of the biggest things I want to say clearly this year: this event is absolutely a team effort. The Metro Bethesda Rotary members involved in this committee do a tremendous amount behind the scenes. They help plan, coordinate, communicate, recruit sponsors and players, and keep things moving in all the ways that make an event like this possible. A lot of that work is not flashy. It is steady, thoughtful, behind-the-scenes effort that helps turn a good idea into a real event that serves real people. I have been fortunate to work alongside fellow Rotary members who care deeply about Rotary’s mission and the causes the tournament supports. I am genuinely grateful for their time, commitment, and willingness to do the work that needs to get done. Events like this do not come together because of one person. They come together because a group of committed people keeps showing up and doing their part. It also takes the support of a broader community. Over the past three years, I have seen how a simple invitation, to play a round of golf or contribute an auction item, can become part of a much larger effort. As I prepare for my final year leading the Purple Tee, I am thinking less about the fact that my leadership role is ending and more about what I hope continues. I hope the tournament continues to bring people together. I hope new sponsors and players discover the value of supporting a community event with a clear purpose. And I hope every participant leaves Whiskey Creek remembering that the best part of the day was never just the golf. It was the difference we helped make by showing up. How You Can Help There are several ways to support this milestone event: Become a tournament sponsor. Help strengthen the event while putting your organization in front of an engaged local community. Register a foursome . Bring colleagues, friends, clients, or family members for a meaningful day on the course. Sponsor a veteran or first responder. Help someone enjoy a round of golf and participate in the Purple Tee experience. Donate an item or experience. Raffle and auction contributions add energy to the day and help expand the event’s fundraising potential. Every form of participation matters. Not everyone can sponsor at the same level, and not everyone plays golf. But everyone can consider whether they, or someone they know, might be able to help.  Key Takeaways The 20th Annual Purple Tee Classic will take place at Whiskey Creek on September 17, 2026. This is my third year leading the tournament and my final year in that leadership role. The fundraiser supports veterans and first responders. Sponsors, foursomes, individual player support, and donated auction or raffle items are all important. Rotary has given me the opportunity to serve with people who care about their community and are willing to turn good intentions into action. I am grateful for that opportunity, grateful for the people I get to work alongside, and determined to make this final year leading the Purple Tee Classic a memorable one. If you would like to support the event, please visit purpletee.fundraiser.bid . You can also message me directly if you are interested or know someone who may want to help. One last round in this leadership role. One more opportunity to bring people together. And one more chance to support the veterans and first responders who deserve our gratitude.
Aerial view of Baltimore's Inner Harbor with buildings, boats, and a wide body of water reflecting the cityscape.

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Why Everyone Is Talking About Utility Bill Audits (And You Should Too)

By Russell Lacey • June 24, 2026
For most business owners, the monthly utility bill is just another line item to be paid and filed away. You glance at the total, ensure it isn't astronomically higher than last month, and move on. But in 2026, with energy markets facing unprecedented volatility and complex new tariff structures, that "glance and pay" strategy is costing American businesses billions in overpayments. The good news? You don’t have to just accept these costs as the price of doing business. Everyone is talking about utility bill audits because they have transitioned from a "nice-to-have" occasional check to a critical financial strategy. At Electric Advisors, Inc., we’ve seen firsthand how a meticulous review of historical invoices can uncover significant refunds and permanent rate reductions.