California
SB 331 – Streamlined Permitting for Transmission Projects
Status: Re-referred to Senate Rules Committee
This bill would allow developers to designate the California Energy Commission (CEC) as the lead agency for CEQA reviews on transmission projects. SB 331 aims to accelerate transmission expansion to support the state’s clean energy transition while maintaining environmental oversight.
SB 330 – Transmission Pilot Project Authority
Status: Amended and re-referred to Committee
This bill would authorize the Governor to establish pilot projects for the development, financing, and operation of electrical transmission infrastructure to support the state’s clean energy goals. The Governor would be responsible for designating state agencies, local public agencies, tribal organizations, or joint powers authorities to implement and oversee these projects, with transmission infrastructure controlled by a California balancing authority. The Joint Legislative Budget Committee must review and approve any pilot projects before they proceed.
AB 745 – CPUC Oversight of Transmission Projects
Status: Hearing scheduled for April 23
The bill would require the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to review and approve transmission line projects, including extensions, expansions, upgrades, and modifications initiated by electrical corporations. AB 745 aims to enhance regulatory oversight and expedite transmission development to support grid reliability and clean energy integration.
Colorado
HB25-1292 – Streamlining Transmission Development in Highway Rights-of-Way
Status: Introduced March 25
This bill, led by NextGen Highways, aims to streamline and codify the process for co-locating transmission lines within state highway rights-of-way. The bill directs the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to develop a clear permitting framework for shared corridor use—helping reduce land-use conflicts, lower project costs, and accelerate transmission buildout. By creating a more predictable pathway for utilities to partner with CDOT, HB25-1292 supports faster development of the backbone infrastructure needed to meet Colorado’s clean energy and reliability goals.
SB-127 – Optimizing Colorado Electric Transmission System
Status: Referred to Senate Committee of the Whole
SB-127 would require electric utilities to evaluate advanced transmission technologies in their biennial transmission plans. This bill aims to enhance grid efficiency, reliability, and transmission expansion to support Colorado’s growing clean energy goals.
Connecticut
HB 7017 – An Act Concerning Grid-Enhancing Technologies
Status: Introduced February 7
This bill requires electric distribution companies or transmission owners to consider advanced transmission technologies in their transmission plans and demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of these technologies.
Delaware
SB 61 – PJM Voting Transparency
Status: Passed One Chamber (Senate)
This bill would require annual reporting by utilities and public advocates detailing all recorded PJM stakeholder votes—and how those votes served the public interest. It aims to improve transparency as PJM navigates major transmission and market decisions.
Illinois
SB 1234 – Regional Generation Reliability Task Force
Status: Referred to Senate Assignments Committee
Introduced in January, this bill would create a task force to monitor grid reliability and evaluate generation and transmission performance in Illinois. It also proposes a $10 million Carbon Capture Infrastructure Fund to support power plants pursuing carbon capture technology.
New Mexico
HB 93 – Advanced Grid Technology Planning
Status: Signed Into Law
HB 93 requires utilities to incorporate grid-enhancing technologies into resource planning and identify congestion points and cost-effective solutions. Sponsored by Rep. Kristina Ortez and Sen. Michael Padilla, the bill focuses on reducing grid congestion, improving reliability, and integrating renewable energy. Utilities must identify congestion points, propose cost-effective solutions, and demonstrate how advanced technologies can lower costs and enhance grid security.
New York
S.2708 – Grid-Enhancing Technology Incentives
Status: Passed One Chamber (Senate )
This bill enables the Public Service Commission to approve cost-effective grid-enhancing technologies and advanced reconductoring proposals from utilities. It includes performance incentives and 5-year reporting requirements and has now been moved to the Assembly for consideration.
Texas
HB 805 – Study on Cross-Border Transmission with Mexico
Status: Introduced January 17
This bill directs the Public Utility Commission of Texas to study both existing and potential electric transmission interconnections between Texas and Mexico. A final report is due to the legislature by September 1, 2026, evaluating impacts on infrastructure and consumers.
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Report: The Need for an Independent Transmission Monitor (ITM)
Acadia Center | 2025
Acadia Center recently released a new explainer outlining the case for establishing an Independent Transmission Monitor (ITM)—a third-party entity that would provide oversight of transmission planning, cost allocation, and grid operator decision-making. The resource, Acadia Center Explains: The Need for an Independent Transmission Monitor, explores how an ITM could improve transparency, protect ratepayers, and ensure transmission investments are aligned with public interest—not just incumbent utility priorities. With transmission playing an increasingly central role in clean energy integration and regional reliability, Acadia’s call for independent oversight adds momentum to a growing national conversation on transmission governance reform.
Report: Penny-Wise and Pound Foolish: PJM's Capacity Auction Demonstrates the Cost Imperative of Simplified and Speedy Interconnection
Grid Strategies | 2025
Advanced Energy United commissioned a recent report by Grid Strategies to highlight how inefficiencies in PJM Interconnection's energy grid connection processes have led to significantly higher electricity costs for consumers across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions. The analysis estimates that had PJM streamlined its interconnection procedures, electricity prices in the latest capacity auction could have been reduced by $7 billion. The report underscores a broader issue affecting U.S. energy markets, where slow grid connection delays create scarcity, leading to higher consumer electricity bills.
Key Findings:
- Cost Impact: The latest PJM capacity auction resulted in $14.7 billion in costs, compared to $2.2 billion in the previous auction.
- Delayed Connections: If PJM had connected just 15% of the projects in its interconnection queue, over 10 GW of additional capacity could have been added.
- Consumer Burden: Electricity bills are expected to increase by 24% in parts of the region by summer 2025 due to supply shortages.
- PJM’s Performance: The grid operator received a D- rating for interconnection efficiency—the lowest of any U.S. grid operator.
- Potential Solutions: The report suggests an "entry fee" model for planned capacity, faster queue studies, and improved construction transparency.
The report calls for urgent regulatory reforms at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) level to prevent further economic strain on consumers. Without changes, the inefficiencies will continue to cost billions and hinder energy transition efforts. Read the full report here.
Report: The PACE of Trust Framework Released to Strengthen Community Engagement in Transmission Projects
Americans for a Clean Energy Grid (ACEG) & DNV | January 2025
Americans for a Clean Energy Grid (ACEG) and DNV have released The PACE of Trust, a new report providing a framework for improving community engagement in transmission development. Based on insights from a roundtable discussion that included representatives from agriculture, environmental justice groups, Indigenous communities, labor unions, and utilities, the report outlines best practices to build trust and streamline the transmission planning process.
The PACE framework is built on four key pillars:
- Participation and Engagement – Ensuring communities have a meaningful voice in decision-making.
- Accountability and Governance – Establishing transparent and fair regulatory processes.
- Communication and Trust – Promoting open dialogue between developers and local stakeholders.
- Economic and Non-Economic Benefits – Addressing concerns and delivering tangible value to impacted communities.
By implementing these principles, the report aims to reduce project delays, enhance stakeholder collaboration, and improve outcomes throughout the planning, routing, and permitting phases of transmission development. For more details, read the full report here.
Report: Cost Savings for Ratepayers: The Role of Advanced Transmission Technologies and High-Performance Conductors
Bekaert | 2025
A new white paper by Bekaert, Cost Savings for Ratepayers: The Role of Advanced Transmission Technologies and High-Performance Conductors, highlights how high-performance steel-core conductors can significantly reduce costs for ratepayers by improving efficiency and minimizing energy losses in transmission lines. The study finds that traditional ACSR conductors remain cost-effective at low loads, but for higher-capacity lines, advanced ACSS/TW conductors ("Suwannee" and "Mississippi") offer greater long-term savings by doubling capacity and reducing energy losses. The report emphasizes that regulatory commissions play a key role in ensuring cost-efficient infrastructure investments and high-performance conductors offer the best long-term savings despite slightly higher initial costs.
Resource: Tribal Transmission Engagement Guides
Gridworks & Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) | 2025
Gridworks and the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) released a new set of Tribal Transmission Engagement Guides, created to support Tribal leadership in shaping the future of the grid. These resources are designed to build capacity and offer practical tools for Tribes navigating complex transmission and energy market conversations. As grid planning intensifies across the West, the guides center Tribal sovereignty, highlight opportunities for benefit-sharing, and aim to reduce barriers to participation.
Explore the guides below!
Report: High Voltage, High Rewards – Transmission Investments Deliver Cost Savings
RMI | 2025
A new report by RMI, High Voltage, High Rewards Transmission, finds that large-scale, high-voltage transmission projects provide significant cost savings to American businesses and consumers while strengthening grid reliability. The study analyzed seven regional and interregional transmission projects across the country—from California to Oklahoma—and found that each delivered benefits exceeding their costs.
As planners and regulators evaluate new transmission investments, the report reinforces that regional and interregional projects offer long-term value, lower energy costs, and enhanced grid resilience. With growing energy demand and extreme weather risks, these findings support accelerating transmission expansion to meet today’s challenges and ensure a more reliable energy future.
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