U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Electricity

Built World

Administering the SPARK program

Seventy percent of America's power lines and transformers are over 25 years old, and nearly a third of transmission infrastructure has passed its useful life. Now electricity demand is rising at its fastest pace in decades, driven by data centers powering artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and reshored manufacturing. The Department of Energy committed $1.9 billion to SPARK, which swaps old wires on existing towers with advanced conductors carrying up to double the electricity—avoiding decade-long permitting fights needed for new lines.

Updated May 30