Exelon CorporationCEO warns of blackouts and criticizes rate case rejection, highlighting regulatory hurdles and cost pressures.

The United States could face power blackouts as soon as 2027 because of growing electricity demand straining the grid, Exelon CEO Calvin Butler told the Financial Times. Butler said Americans could "absolutely" lose power in the coming years due to a shortage of power plants in the northeast and Midwest, noting that the grid operator PJM has predicted a 60-gigawatt supply shortfall over the next decade and reported a 6.5-gigawatt deficit at its last auction. He added that utilities have been made a scapegoat for rising costs, with national electricity prices up 7 percent since last year and even sharper increases in markets Exelon serves, including 17 percent in New Jersey, 16 percent in Maryland, and 13 percent in Pennsylvania. Butler also said pulling a requested rate increase for Exelon's PECO subsidiary will only defer higher costs, arguing that investing in the system requires rate cases.
Exelon CorporationCEO warns of blackouts and criticizes rate case rejection, highlighting regulatory hurdles and cost pressures.