Why are utilities building tomorrow’s grid with yesterday’s technology?

Photo credit: American Public Power Association via Unsplash. Commentary by Rachel Levine. Niskanen Center – December 5, 2025.

The U.S. must rapidly expand its high-voltage transmission system to keep electricity affordable and reliable over the coming decade. After years of nearly stagnant development, any interest in transmission buildout among grid operators is encouraging. Yet, even amid this renewed momentum, utilities nationwide continue to embrace alternating current transmission, a 19th century innovation, instead of embracing modern and commercially viable high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology. […]

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