Map Highlight: U.S. Electric Planning Areas Map

When it comes to new development, energy access is everything. Whether you're a developer scouting locations, an energy investor planning your next project, or a broker assessing property potential, understanding the electric system is critical. 

That’s where the Electric Planning Areas Map on Acres.com comes in. It’s the map that connects your property goals to the power that fuels them.

What are Electric Planning Areas?

An Electric Planning Area is a specific region where a utility company or electric provider oversees how electricity is delivered, expanded, and maintained. These areas are essential for keeping the power grid reliable as populations grow and energy needs change. 

Map of U.S. Electric Planning Areas

This nationwide layer outlines utility jurisdictions across the U.S. With this layer, you can gain a powerful lens into grid connectivity, future transmission opportunities, and regulatory boundaries that directly impact project feasibility and land value. 

To explore this map and hundreds of other layers, connect with our sales team today!

Acres’ nationwide power plant data is derived from the Homeland Infrastructure Foundation Level Database (HIFLD). 

Key Features of Acres’ Electric Planning Areas

• Clearly Defined Boundaries: View the exact borders of each electric planning area across the country.
• Designated Oversight: Acres’ data identifies the utility or planning authority responsible for maintaining grid reliability and planning future capacity.
• Peak Demand Insights: Use the Electric Planning Areas map to track peak load and range—key indicators of maximum power demand and how much it fluctuates.

Electric Planning Areas Infrastructure 

An electric planning area includes everything needed to deliver power — both what’s already built and what’s still on the drawing board for the future.

Inside a planning area, you’ll usually find:

• Power plants 
• Transmission lines 
• Substations 
• Distribution lines 

But it’s not just about what’s already there. Planning areas are constantly looking ahead to decide:

• Where new solar farms, wind farms, or battery storage projects should go.
• Whether new transmission lines are needed to handle more electricity.
• How to upgrade old infrastructure so the grid stays reliable.

Who Manages Electric Planning Areas?

Every electric planning area has an organization that's in charge of making sure there’s enough power now and into the future. These organizations are called planning authorities, and they can take a few different forms depending on where you live.

Here are the most common types:

• Big Utility Companies: Large companies that generate and deliver electricity to homes and businesses.They manage planning for the regions they serve and decide where to build new power plants or power lines.
• Independent System Operators (ISOs) and Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs): In some parts of the country, independent groups manage the grid across many states or cities. They make sure electricity flows smoothly between different areas, and they plan for big regional needs. (Example: California ISO, PJM Interconnection.)
• Municipal Utilities or Public Power Agencies: Some cities run their own electric systems and take care of planning at a local level. These city-owned utilities are responsible for ensuring their own residents have reliable power.

Final Thoughts

Power access isn’t just a utility—it’s a strategic asset. The Electric Planning Areas Map on Acres gives you critical insight into how electricity flows, who’s in charge, and where infrastructure is headed. 

Connect with our sales team today to get access.