Indiana to get $175M federal SPARK grant for transmission upgrades; state says it will curb ratepayer costs

Gov. Mike Braun announced on Sept. 24, 2026 that Indiana will receive more than $175 million through the U.S. Department of Energy’s SPARK grant program to pay for upgrades to the state’s electric transmission infrastructure. The governor’s office said the federal funds are expected to cover roughly half of the planned improvement costs and to help accommodate growing electricity demand tied to new investments.

State officials said the project will emphasize improving existing transmission corridors rather than constructing new lines and will target the area where the PJM and MISO grids meet. Planned work includes reconductoring—replacing older wires with higher‑capacity conductors—and use of technology to move more electricity through existing lines and reduce congestion. The governor’s office said the investment should lower the portion of project costs recovered from Indiana utility customers.

Report a correction · Editorial standards · Our source directory

BusinessIndy examines this development and its implications for Indiana businesses and communities using the linked sources.

Continued verification is in progress.