There’s growing global recognition that a net-zero world is inevitable, with ever-increasing investments in clean technologies and strong consumer support for sustainably-minded companies. As the transition to a carbon-free future accelerates, potential costs are being scrutinized, particularly as it relates to transforming the U.S. power grid, which remains a chief source of pollution and is in need of serious improvements.
Estimates peg grid upgrade costs—which are needed to allow for a massive buildout of renewables and storage to support things like charging infrastructure, data centers and manufacturing plants—at up to $1 trillion by 2050. It’s an eye-watering sum that poses the question: Who’s going to pay for all of it?
