Electricity demand in the United States has grown almost continuously since the introduction of electric lighting as it became increasingly integral to society and the economy, with load growth stagnating from around 2005 through the 2010s.

That era of stability is now over. In 2024, the national five-year forecast for electricity load was 5 times higher than 2022 predictions. Peak electricity demand is expected to increase by 128 gigawatts (GW) by 2029 — roughly 13 times the amount of electricity New York City consumed at its peak demand in 2023.

This webinar will provide an overview of electricity load growth in the U.S. and its drivers and expected impacts. It will focus on how load growth particularly affects states and localities, and it will explore levers available to state and local policymakers to mitigate any negative consequences and capture any opportunities. The webinar will feature a panel of speakers, including representatives of state and local governments currently working on electricity demand issues affecting their jurisdiction. This panel will provide both a broad take on load growth and a more granular perspective on what’s happening on the ground and how policymakers are actively working to respond. 

Speakers:

  • Delegate Richard C. (Rip) Sullivan, Virginia House of Delegates, 6th District
  • Jared Patton, Project Manager, Sustainable Infrastructure, City of Chicago, Department of Environment
  • Ann Collier, Senior Manager, Emerging Technology, Smart Electric Power Alliance
  • Ian Goldsmith, Clean Energy Specialist, Polsky Energy Center, World Resources Institute
  • Michelle Levinson, Senior Manager, eMobility Finance & Policy, Polsky Energy Center, World Resources Institute (Moderator)