President Trump has recently called for a system update on the unreliable U.S. power grids. Specifically, he's looking to tackle one of the most complex areas, long-distance transmission lines.
Catie Hausman, a Ford School economics professor, has studied how some public utilities have blocked transmission buildout for renewables to protect the economic viability of their incumbent gas and coal power plants. She does not expect Trump's executive actions to make those turf battles disappear.
"There have been so many impediments to building long-distance transmission lines," Hausman said. "It's hard to even know where to start."
