Grid United's ambitious plan to interconnect three regional power systems
Grid United CEO Michael Skelly is pursuing a first-of-its-kind transmission line that would connect three separate U.S. grids spanning three time zones. The project aims to improve reliability and enable greater renewable energy sharing across regions. Skelly, who has spent a decade on such efforts, believes this attempt is on track despite the historical difficulty of building interstate lines.
Interstate transmission projects have long been among the most challenging infrastructure efforts in the United States, often stalling over permitting, cost allocation, and jurisdictional disputes. Grid United's proposal stands out because it would bridge three of the nation's major grid regions, which currently operate with limited power exchange between them. Such interconnection is widely seen as a key step for renewable energy, since wind and solar output varies by region and time of day.
The project's potential to move clean power across time zones could help balance supply and demand more efficiently, reducing waste and easing strain during peak periods. Skelly's decade of experience in this arena lends credibility to the effort, though the historical record of similar attempts suggests significant hurdles remain before construction can begin.
If successful, this project could meaningfully reshape how electricity flows across the country, potentially lowering costs for consumers and making renewable energy more dependable. Communities in the regions involved may see new economic activity from construction and operations, while ratepayers could benefit from a more resilient grid. However, the timeline is uncertain, and any delays would postpone these benefits. The outcome may also influence future transmission proposals, signaling whether large-scale grid integration is a viable path forward.