As the demand for increased electrical transmission capacity accelerates across the United States, new risks are emerging for critical pipeline infrastructure. The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the global authority on corrosion control and protective coatings, will host a webcast focused on the growing impact of electrical transmission reconductoring on pipeline integrity.
The event, “Impact of Increased Electrical Transmission Loads (Reconductoring) on Pipeline Integrity,” will take place on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. EDT. The one-hour session will bring together industry experts to examine how rising electrical loads can introduce corrosion risks, create regulatory challenges, and require stronger coordination between pipeline operators and electric utilities.
As utilities work to expand grid capacity, reconductoring, the process of upgrading existing transmission lines to carry higher electrical loads — is becoming more common. While essential for meeting energy demand, these upgrades can increase the risk of alternating current (AC) interference, posing potential threats to pipeline safety, asset integrity, and long-term performance.
Attendees will gain insight into what reconductoring is and why it is becoming a growing issue in the United States, how increased electrical loads can impact pipeline corrosion and integrity, current regulatory gaps and industry challenges, practical steps to mitigate AC interference risks, and the importance of data sharing and cross-industry communication.
Speakers include Jim Warner, corrosion engineer at Consumers Energy, and Tim Gonzalez, vice president of Energy Solutions at AMPP.
“Reconductoring is happening faster than the industry’s ability to fully address its downstream impacts,” said Gonzalez. “As electrical loads increase, so does the potential for AC interference on pipelines. Addressing this requires not just technical solutions, but stronger coordination between utilities, pipeline operators, and regulators to close existing gaps and protect critical infrastructure.”
Jim Warner brings more than 30 years of experience in cathodic protection and corrosion control, and currently serves as Chair of the Technical Committee on Cathodic Protection – Impact of Increased Electrical Transmission Loads. His expertise, combined with AMPP’s global perspective on energy infrastructure, will provide attendees with practical, real-world guidance on managing these evolving risks.
As energy systems become more interconnected, understanding the intersection between electrical transmission and pipeline infrastructure is essential to maintaining safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance.
To learn more and register, visit: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5307051/3AE7C6E5C9BEEDB687D94FA8C8F25708?partnerref=AMPPWeb
