Corporations Call for Urgent Grid Improvements
Amid rising electricity demand and persistently high utility costs, over 15 major U.S. companies have come together to advocate for substantial upgrades to the nation’s power grid. In a joint statement, these businesses urged state governments to modernize outdated transmission infrastructure to support affordable, reliable energy. The coalition includes leading names across diverse sectors, such as Akamai Technologies, IKEA US, Nestlé, Levi Strauss & Co., Aspen One, and Siemens.
The call to action emphasizes that a modern, resilient electric grid is foundational to a thriving economy. “A strong grid is at the heart of the modern economy. Businesses and residents alike need reliable and affordable electricity, and states need energy infrastructure to thrive in the 21st-century economy,” said Mel Mackin, director of state policy at Ceres, a sustainability nonprofit involved in the effort. Mackin stressed the importance of lawmakers addressing energy transmission as part of broader economic and cost-of-living concerns.
The corporate appeal aligns with growing concern over the U.S. power grid’s ability to meet future demand. As industries expand and clean energy adoption accelerates, many fear the current infrastructure won’t be able to keep up—threatening both business continuity and economic growth.
A Cross-Industry Push for Sustainable Solutions
What sets this initiative apart is the breadth of support it has received across industries and geographic regions. From technology and fashion to food and manufacturing, companies are voicing a shared concern about the fragility of current energy infrastructure. Their message is clear: transmission improvements are no longer optional—they are essential.
Kaley Cross, sustainability manager at Grove Collaborative, reinforced this perspective, stating, “This includes making transmission infrastructure improvements to deliver clean power at scale and meet our energy needs sustainably—not just as individual homes or businesses, but as a community.” Cross highlighted that energy infrastructure is directly tied to both environmental goals and public health, emphasizing a holistic view of power system reform.
The signatories argue that improved infrastructure would facilitate access to cleaner, more efficient energy sources while reducing the long-term costs associated with power grid instability. Their joint statement underscored that upgraded transmission systems would not only reduce outages and inefficiencies but also ensure electricity remains cost-effective for businesses and consumers alike.
Policy Recommendations and Legislative Priorities
The companies’ collective statement also lays out a two-pronged policy approach. In the short term, it advocates for upgrades to existing transmission systems using modern hardware and software that can improve energy flow and power grid reliability. This includes smart grid technologies and real-time monitoring tools that optimize energy distribution and prevent overloads.
Secondly, the statement calls on lawmakers to eliminate outdated regulatory barriers that hinder progress. It recommends requiring utilities to consider advanced transmission technologies and adopt new planning standards that reflect modern energy usage patterns. The companies argue that without decisive legislative support, the U.S. risks falling behind in building the energy infrastructure needed for a rapidly evolving economy.
As state legislatures deliberate over economic and environmental priorities in 2025, this coalition of business leaders hopes to steer the conversation toward tangible investments in the power grid. Their message is clear: a sustainable, reliable, and forward-looking energy system is critical not only to corporate success but to national resilience in the years ahead.
