Utilities across the world are taking steps to modernize their electric grids. In the most basic sense, this means augmenting the grid with software and communications technologies to help the grid meet the new demands society is placing upon it. States serious about grid modernization are taking a thoughtful and methodical approach through dedicated investigational proceedings — a reflection of the enormous capital expenditures about to be made, and the enormous consequences of mistakes. This paper looks at Grid Modernization plans in general, and Dominion’s in Virginia specifically, providing a framework to evaluate which investments are helpful to the grid transition, and which are less useful.