As energy technologies continue to expand, the massive surge in power consumption nationwide is highlighting significant weaknesses in America's energy grid. This sprawling network, composed of numerous power plants and over 500,000 miles of power cables, is responsible for supplying electricity to millions of homes and businesses across the country. The scale and complexity of the grid have been described as unparalleled, with it being referred to as 'the most complicated machine ever built.' Unlike a unified national system, the Lower 48 states are divided among 10 independent operators, each functioning under a patchwork of local, state, and federal regulations. The central infrastructure of the grid, including the aging wires and electrical transformers essential for transmitting electricity, is approximately half a century old and ill-prepared to accommodate the impending surge in power demand. Neil Chatterjee, former chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, emphasizes the need for significant transmission expansion to meet growing demand, maintain reliability, ensure affordability, and facilitate decarbonization.