As energy demand outpaces new generation, utility leaders warn of dire consequences within the coming years.
Exelon Chief Executive Officer Calvin Butler recently warned in an interview with the Financial Times that Americans may face blackouts as soon as 2027. Energy demand is dramatically outpacing the capacity of existing grid infrastructure and our the ability to get new forms of generations online. One of the biggest contributors to the added strain has been the development of data centers supporting the boom in artificial intelligence (AI).
According to the Financial Times, Exelon CEO Calvin Butler said,
“We came very close, this past winter, to having to curtail power for about 400,000 customers on some of the coldest days of the year,” he said. “And it’s only getting worse.
For long time readers of Conduit Street, this development comes as no surprise. Energy issues have been at the forefront of policymaker’s minds, with several high profile bills from the General Assembly focusing on boosting generation and lowering residential energy rates. In 2025, Maryland experienced its a blackout due to grid failure, and although it was limited to 30 minutes and to 4000 residents, it points to growing concerns with the state’s energy infrastructure.
If you’re following energy issues, be sure to check out The Briefing Room, a new limited series from the Conduit Street Podcast. Airing Tuesdays this summer, the series breaks down complex topics over several weeks through conversations with key decision-makers shaping Maryland’s policy landscape. Our first five episodes focus on energy: from grid reliability and generation challenges to local siting concerns and rising demand. The Briefing Room offers county leaders and policy watchers a clear, accessible look at the issues driving Maryland’s public policy landscape.
