US Department of Energy announces up to 50 million dollars for Virginia-West Virginia transmission upgrades

US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright announced on October 16, 2026, during a visit to Lynchburg, Virginia, that up to 50 million dollars in federal funding will support electric transmission upgrades across parts of Appalachian Power's service area in western Virginia and West Virginia. The Department of Energy said the infrastructure improvements, funded under the Defense Production Act, would add about 290 megawatts of grid capacity while strengthening grid reliability and infrastructure essential to national defense. The announcement is part of a broader Energy Department initiative announced October 13 to support the Tennessee Valley Authority in funding 84 transmission projects across eight states, expected to add 2.5 gigawatts of total grid capacity and support approximately 800 jobs.

Energy Secretary Wright also issued an emergency order on October 12 to stabilize the mid-Atlantic grid and mitigate the risk of blackouts amid anticipated stressed system conditions, with the order effective October 13 through October 16. The Department of Energy announced $99 million for geothermal development on September 21 and has made a series of grid infrastructure funding announcements in recent months. House Democrats released a sweeping policy blueprint in mid-September signaling a rhetorical pivot from climate-focused framing toward affordability and security, while bipartisan permitting reform negotiations have accelerated.

Sources

Cardinal News, U.S. energy secretary announces electric grid upgrades across parts of APCo's service area, October 17, 2026, cardinalnews.org US Department of Energy, Energy Department Announces Virginia and West Virginia Transmission Project to Receive Defense Production Act Funding, October 16, 2026, energy.gov US Department of Energy, Energy Department Backs Major Grid Expansion Across Eight States to Strengthen Reliability and Lower Electricity Costs, October 13, 2026, energy.gov US Department of Energy, Energy Secretary Secures Mid-Atlantic Grid Ahead of Anticipated Stressed System Conditions, October 12, 2026, energy.gov US Department of Energy, Energy Department Announces $99 Million for 21 Projects to Advance U.S. Geothermal Energy Development, September 21, 2026, energy.gov Semafor, House Democrats pitch energy plan ahead of the midterms, September 15, 2026, semafor.com