ConstructConnect News

FERC Orders Electric Grid Operators to Improve Speed-to-Power for Data Centers and Other Large Loads

marshall.benveniste@constructconnect.com (Marshall Benveniste) — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 12:45:02 GMT

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on June 18 ordered the nation’s six regional grid operators to justify or revise the tariff rules that govern how data centers, factories and other large power users connect to the electric grid.
The commission gave grid operators 60 days to defend current tariffs or file changes, and 30 days to explain how they will ensure enough generation is available for existing and new large loads.
The action puts new focus on study timelines, cost allocation, co-location arrangements and flexible service options as electricity demand from AI and manufacturing projects rises.

Grant Cameron — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:07:22 GMT

Long Beach Airport has begun a $37 million Passenger Concourse Enhancement Project to modernize post-security facilities ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Scope includes remodeling 11 gate areas, new open-air gardens, seating with charging stations, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing system overhauls. PCL Construction Services holds the $28 million construction contract.
The project will create approximately 190 construction jobs and is scheduled for completion by summer 2027.

marshall.benveniste@constructconnect.com (Marshall Benveniste) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:29:58 GMT

Alaska Airlines broke ground on a new $135 million maintenance hangar at Portland International Airport that will add about 185,000 square feet across maintenance, office, and shop space.
The building project is expected to create more than 100 local jobs and expand the airline’s ability to service both narrowbody and widebody aircraft in Portland.
The LEED-certified facility is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2028 and is part of the carrier's broader expansion in Portland.

Devin Bell, Associate Economist — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:32:58 GMT

X-Energy recently received environmental approval for a nuclear power development.
The data center boom has driven an increase in power demand, leading to large power users looking for innovative solutions.
Power Infrastructure construction has expanded significantly in recent years, and will likely need to continue growth to meet demand.

marshall.benveniste@constructconnect.com (Marshall Benveniste) — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:54:18 GMT

Amazon said it will invest $10 billion in a new Montgomery County, Mo., data center campus, one of the largest digital infrastructure announcements Missouri has landed to date.
According to the June 15 announcement from Missouri Partnership, the project is expected to create more than 400 full-time data center jobs, thousands of construction jobs and long-term property tax growth.
Amazon also said it will fund all electric grid connection costs, commit more than $7 million to community programs and support water-saving efforts with Arable Labs.

Don Procter — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:33:30 GMT

Office-to-residential conversions make up 47 percent of all future adaptive reuse projects planned in the U.S. and 12 of the top 20 metropolitan areas account for the majority of projects planned.
New York City leads the country in conversions, while Los Angeles and Chicago are also strong markets.
While many potential office-to-residential conversions exist due to vacancies, projects are driven by state policy, building age, square footage, depth, number of stories, walkability, and transit accessibility.

michael.guckes@constructconnect.com (Michael Guckes, Chief Economist) — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:51:46 GMT

Oil prices fell immediately after the U.S. and Iran announced a tentative peace deal tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with Brent dropping about 5% and U.S. crude sliding into the low-$80 range.
The move lowers the immediate geopolitical risk premium in energy markets, but it does not mean global oil supply snaps back to normal. Shipping, insurance, vessel positioning, restarted production and inventory rebuilding all point to a recovery process measured in weeks or months, not days.
Lower oil could help ease inflation pressures over time, but relief is likely to arrive gradually if diesel, freight, and petrochemical input costs remain elevated through the back half of the year.

marshall.benveniste@constructconnect.com (Marshall Benveniste) — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 19:06:05 GMT

NextEra Energy Resources and Platte River Power Authority broke ground on the 100MW Weld Energy Center in Weld County, Colo., according to a June 9 press release.
The companies said the battery energy storage project represents a $141 million local investment, is expected to generate more than $6.8 million in tax revenue over 20 years and will create more than 200 construction jobs.
Platte River said the project will store excess energy, support renewable integration, and add grid flexibility as the utility moves toward retirement of its flagship coal unit in 2029.

johnny.bradigan@constructconnect.com (Johnny Bradigan) — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 18:07:36 GMT

Volvo has launched all-electric versions of the A30 and A40 articulated haulers, but only in Europe right now.
Caterpillar is rolling out AI-enabled heavy equipment in the U.S. The company already has an all-electric vehicle, but it is only for the mining industry.
These advances signal accelerating construction trends toward electrification, automation, and grid investment.

marshall.benveniste@constructconnect.com (Marshall Benveniste) — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 12:44:28 GMT

University of Utah trustees approved a $43.5 million land purchase at The Point in Draper for a full-scale hospital and roughly 200,000-square-foot medical campus.
The project would give U of U Health exclusive provider rights at the site for 12 years, with a 30-year extension tied to development milestones.
The Draper campus adds to the system’s broader expansion push, alongside projects in West Valley City and Vineyard that are scheduled to open in 2028.