SightLines Q1 2026
In this issue: investor-owned utility M&A, shifts in power gen source mix, and how enterprise-level traffic control planning supports operational efficiency.
What’s Trending: Investor-owned Utility M&A
A recent PwC report highlights increasing consolidation as utilities prepare for load growth tied to electrification and data centers. Scale can improve efficiency through integrated operations and streamlined supply chains — but it also concentrates risk: more concurrent work, more handoffs, and higher exposure when schedules and safety aren’t coordinated end-to-end.
Sources: S&P Global Market Intelligence (and its affiliates, as applicable), source data through
November 30, 2025; PwC US Deals 2026 Outlook
INSIGHTS: UTILITIES INVESTING IN BROADER MIX OF POWER GEN SOURCES
Natural gas, coal and nuclear remain dominant, but renewables continue to gain share. As generation sources diversify, utilities face more interconnection work — with more crews in more locations — putting additional pressure on safety readiness, control capacity, and consistent field execution.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration Short Term Energy Outlook
Thought Leadership: Traffic Control as Strategic Infrastructure
Enterprise-level traffic management moves work zone safety from a tactical line item to an operational advantage — especially for utilities expanding across regions, contractors, and workstreams.
“Advanced providers use automated Traffic Control Plans (TCPs) to give utilities real-time visibility into work sequencing and cost exposure. Automation enables leaders to shift from reactive scheduling to enterprise-level coordination.”
– Don Pitalo, AWP Safety vice president of business development
Partners in Your Future
AWP Safety safeguards one million worksites annually. Customers rely on us to protect their crews, communities and business interests during utility, broadband and road construction projects.
View AWP Safety’s Q12026 SightLines Issue as a PDF.
