If reconductoring is so great, why are we not doing it at scale?

We often discuss the much-needed transformation of our nation’s energy grid. Experts envision a smart, adaptable network equipped with solar panels, batteries and microgrids. Another important element of that transformation is reconductoring. 

So what does that mean and why does it matter? 

Reconductoring is the process of upgrading existing transmission lines with newer, more efficient conductors. Think of it like upgrading your internet from a clunky dial-up to lightning-fast fiber-optic. Just as that speeds up your browsing, reconductoring supercharges our grid — doubling its capacity and unlocking the power to deliver more electricity to more people.

This is especially important as we shift to cleaner energy sources and meet rising consumer demand. 

According to a report published by the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), if we replace 5,000 miles of transmission wires each year with advanced conductors, we could make room for 27 gigawatts (GW) more renewable power annually. That’s equivalent to the output of dozens of new wind or solar energy centers every single year.

But reconductoring isn’t just about adding capacity. It’s also about resilience. Our grid is aging, and extreme weather events — from hurricanes to heatwaves — are straining it more than ever. Upgrading these lines makes the grid stronger, more reliable and better equipped to handle the growing demand for electricity.

The advantages sound simple and compelling. So why hasn’t America flipped the switch on our reconductoring revolution?

Simply put, powering America’s grid is not like paying a monthly phone bill. There are no free upgrades. As you can imagine, the steep cost of reconductoring is where things start to get complicated.

While it’s clear that reconductoring offers a huge potential payoff, agreeing on who foots the bill has become one of the thorniest issues in energy policy.

Traditionally, utilities have been responsible for these kinds of infrastructure projects, and costs are passed on to customers in the form of higher rates. But today’s energy landscape is shifting. We’re seeing the rise of microgrids, distributed solar and other technologies that allow customers to generate their own power. This has raised tough questions about fairness. Should everyone, including those with their own solar panels or battery storage, contribute to the costs of upgrading the grid? And how should the benefits be distributed?

The dilemma comes down to balancing the interests of utilities, individual consumers and the broader public. If a utility invests in a microgrid that provides resilience to one community, is it fair for ratepayers across the entire service area to help cover the cost? On the flip side, if that microgrid also contributes to the overall stability of the larger grid, shouldn’t everyone share in the investment?

Unfortunately, we haven’t yet cracked the code on how to equitably distribute the costs and benefits of grid modernization.

Despite these challenges, there are promising signs on the horizon.

Jigar Shah, Director of the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office, has been a vocal advocate for a proactive approach. His office has proposed loan programs aimed at grid modernization, making it easier for utilities and other stakeholders to invest in solutions like reconductoring. These loans can help bridge the gap between the need for upgrades and the question of who pays.

Still, we need Congress to step up and fully address the funding question. A patchwork of local policies and initiatives won’t be enough to solve a national problem. 

What we need is a comprehensive, bipartisan plan that ensures grid modernization projects like reconductoring are adequately funded and fairly distributed across the country.

It’s easy to overlook something as invisible as the wires that crisscross our skies and fields, but those lines are the arteries of our clean energy transition. Reconductoring is a no-brainer solution — more capacity, more renewable energy, more resilience. But it will take a coordinated effort, including support from lawmakers, utility organizations and the public, to make it happen at the scale we need.