The Future of Gas Submetering in 2026: Advancing Efficiency, Transparency, and Sustainability
December 4, 2025
Looking Ahead to 2026: Reliability, Affordability, and the Evolving Energy Landscape
As 2025 draws to a close, it offers a timely opportunity to reflect on the forces that shaped the energy sector over the past year—and to assess what lies ahead in 2026. For Think Utility Services, two defining themes consistently influenced industry discussions, regulatory activity, and long-term planning across the markets we serve.
First, there has been a renewed and urgent focus on resource adequacy and grid reliability, driven by accelerating electricity demand. Second, states are increasingly reassessing the policies and strategies used to achieve clean energy objectives, particularly as cost pressures and reliability concerns intensify.
Together, these dynamics are reshaping how utilities, regulators, property owners, and service providers think about the future of energy.
Resource Adequacy and Reliability Take Center Stage
Electricity demand growth has outpaced many earlier forecasts. Onshoring of manufacturing, the rapid expansion of AI-driven data centers, and the electrification of heating and transportation systems are collectively placing unprecedented strain on existing generation and transmission infrastructure.
In response, states such as New Jersey and Maryland have taken proactive steps to address reliability risks and rate volatility. Both states have issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) focused on energy storage solutions, reflecting growing concern over capacity constraints and price impacts—particularly those stemming from elevated clearing prices in PJM’s Base Residual Auction.
Maryland has also directed its Public Service Commission to evaluate alternative generation procurement models designed to strengthen system reliability while advancing state policy objectives. These efforts aim to encourage new generation development, reduce exposure to wholesale market volatility, and mitigate the risk of future supply shortfalls.
From Think Utility Services’ perspective, these developments underscore a broader industry trend: reliability is no longer a background consideration—it is a central planning priority.
Reassessing Clean Energy Policies and Market Structures
Alongside reliability concerns, states are taking a fresh look at how best to achieve clean energy goals in a rapidly changing market environment. In New York, for example, regulators are reassessing the role electric utilities should play in developing and owning generation assets needed to meet aggressive decarbonization targets—while also managing costs for ratepayers.
Recent policy changes allowing the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to develop and acquire renewable energy projects from independent power producers reflect this evolving approach. These efforts signal a willingness among policymakers to explore alternative ownership and financing models that can deliver clean energy more efficiently.
At the core of these discussions is a recalibration of the three foundational pillars of electricity planning:
Reliability — including both resource adequacy to meet peak demand and system security to withstand unexpected disruptions
Affordability — as rising electricity rates and inflation increase pressure on consumers and businesses
Sustainability — with continued emphasis on decarbonization and long-term environmental goals
As demand growth accelerates, reliability has understandably risen to the top of the agenda. At the same time, affordability concerns have intensified, forcing difficult trade-offs. Sustainability goals remain essential, but achieving all three pillars simultaneously has become increasingly complex.
What This Means Looking Ahead
At Think Utility Services, we see 2026 as a year defined by pragmatic energy planning—where innovative financing strategies, smarter infrastructure investment, and data-driven utility management will play a critical role. Recent evaluations of alternative financing and procurement approaches demonstrate that it is possible to advance sustainability objectives while addressing affordability and reliability concerns.
For property owners, managers, and utility stakeholders, these shifts reinforce the importance of transparent billing, accurate submetering, and operational efficiency as part of the broader energy ecosystem.
The challenges ahead are real—but so are the opportunities. As the industry adapts to rising demand and evolving policy priorities, Think Utility Services remains optimistic and engaged in helping clients navigate what promises to be a pivotal year for the energy and utility landscape.
