NARUC Introduces Draft Resolution on Advanced Transmission Technologies Ahead of Their Annual Meeting
On October 30, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners introduced a draft resolution supporting additional funding for federal grid investment programs that would build momentum for Advanced Transmission Technologies. This resolution, introduced by Commissioner Doug Scott, “... urges Congress to appropriate sufficient funds to support utilities, Regional Transmission Organizations/Independent System Operators, and States with the deployment of Advanced Transmission Technologies (ATT) such as through the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships Programs...”.
SPP Approves $7.7 Billion Transmission Expansion Plan
On October 29, the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) board of directors approved a $7.7 billion transmission expansion plan, encompassing 89 projects and covering 2,333 miles of new transmission lines and 495 miles of rebuilds. This 2024 Integrated Transmission Plan addresses the region's “generational challenges” of balancing increased power demand from sectors like data centers and crypto mining while managing the retirement of conventional coal and natural gas resources.
The plan’s highlights include a major 765-kV line to connect Texas to New Mexico and additional infrastructure to meet load growth in North and South Dakota. In response to recent extreme weather events, the plan also includes projects that strengthen system resilience by enhancing north-to-south power transfer capabilities and ensuring voltage stability during winter storms. SPP estimates these projects will pay for themselves within three years, with a benefit-cost ratio of at least 8-to-1, creating monthly savings of up to $11.47 for residential customers. For more details, read the full report here.
FERC Finalizes Transmission Siting Rule with Enhanced Tribal Engagement Requirements
On October 17, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) took final action on Order No. 1977, implementing new transmission siting regulations. This rule, first approved in May 2024, expands FERC’s limited authority over transmission siting and includes updates to the application process, particularly in relation to Tribal lands.
The updated rule requires applicants seeking rights of way on Tribal lands to incorporate their plans within Tribal engagement strategies, enhancing collaboration with Tribal landowners. Additionally, the rule enforces a Landowner Bill of Rights, establishes an Applicant Code of Conduct for landowner engagement, and mandates outreach plans for environmental justice communities.
FERC Chairman Willie Phillips emphasized the importance of close collaboration with Tribal landowners on right-of-way issues as part of broader Tribal engagement efforts on transmission projects. For more details, view the full announcement here.
The Department of Energy Announces New Round of Funding Through the Grid Deployment Office
On October 13, the White House announced $612 million in funding through the Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office to improve reliability. The Department of Energy also ensured there was funding for communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. Read more about the projects selected here.
Additionally, on October 18, the Department of Energy awarded nearly $2 billion to 38 selected projects under the DOE Grid Resilience and Innovation Program. Nine of these projects included Advanced Transmission Technologies, amounting to $185 million in funding. Read the DOE press release on this round of funding here.
Department of Energy Releases National Transmission Planning Study
On October 3, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released the National Transmission Planning Study (NTP Study), a comprehensive set of long-term planning tools and analyses that explore future scenarios through 2050 to maintain grid reliability, enhance resilience, and reduce costs. Developed in partnership with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), the study addresses various transformations needed for the U.S. electric grid as the energy sector transitions to cleaner resources.
The NTP Study evaluates multiple potential futures and provides information designed to guide the development of a reliable, resilient, and cost-effective transmission system. It also includes new and improved planning tools that transmission planners can leverage. The DOE held a webinar to discuss the study in greater detail on October 16.
Additionally, the DOE announced the second round of awards under the Transmission Facilitation Program (TFP), providing $1.4 billion to fund four major transmission projects. These projects—Southline Phase 2, Cimarron Link, Southern Spirit, and Aroostook—are designed to enhance grid reliability, alleviate congestion, and improve access to affordable energy.
The TFP, a revolving fund, is designed to address financial challenges in developing large-scale transmission infrastructure. This second round of awards builds upon earlier investments to strengthen the U.S. electric grid and facilitate the integration of clean energy sources. For more information about the program selections, read the complete program here.
Northeast States Collaborative Releases White Paper on HVDC Equipment Standardization for Offshore Wind Transmission
On October 1, the Northeast States Collaborative on Interregional Transmission published a white paper, HVDC Equipment Standardization and Supply Chain Considerations for Offshore Wind Transmission. The paper outlines the challenges and opportunities in standardizing high-voltage direct current (HVDC) equipment to facilitate the rapid deployment of offshore wind projects along the Eastern Seaboard.
With over 30 G.W. of offshore wind power planned by 2030 and 80 G.W. by 2050, the 10 states in the collaborative view standardization as critical to overcoming supply chain constraints and ensuring long-term compatibility across state and regional grids. The white paper identifies benefits such as easing supply chain bottlenecks, accelerating domestic investment, and aligning with global HVDC standards to support large-scale offshore wind development.
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Report: Mind the Regulatory Gap: How to Enhance Local Transmission Oversight
RMI | November 2024
RMI’s new report, Mind the Regulatory Gap: How to Enhance Local Transmission Oversight, summarizes a key issue facing regulators nationwide: utilities are investing significant amounts into local transmission, which, unlike regionally planned transmission, is often not subjected to adequate regulatory review for a combination of factors. We call this combination a “regulatory gap” and explore key solutions to close the gap in the paper at the state, regional, and federal levels to align transmission spending with the near-term need in the US for higher-capacity regional transmission investments.
Report: 2024 State of Regional Transmission Planning
Americans for a Clean Energy Grid | October 2024
A year after publishing the initial transmission planning and development report card, Americans for a Clean Energy Grid’s interim review of regional transmission planning processes provides a qualitative update of planning practices and reforms that are underway. Read more here.
Report: Connected West Long-Range Transmission Plan
GridLab and Gridworks | September 2024
On September 26, GridLab and Gridworks released the Connected West report, a long-range transmission plan that addresses the growing energy needs of the Western U.S. over the next 20 years. The report, conducted by Energy Strategies, underscores the critical role of strategic transmission planning and investment in maintaining grid reliability, cost-effectiveness, and economic growth while safeguarding sensitive natural and cultural resources.
The Connected West study is the first of its kind, providing a West-wide transmission plan designed for a high-energy-demand future. It recommends targeted infrastructure investments to support a decarbonized, electrified economy and to ensure reliable energy access across the region.
Watch the webinar hosted by Gridworks on October 8, where they discussed the study's key findings and featured experts from the industry and energy policy fields. For more details, read the full report here.
Report: Better Together: The Benefits of Coordination in the Development of Transmission and Distributed Energy Resources
Strategen | September 2024
On September 16, Strategen published Better Together: The Benefits of Coordination in the Development of Transmission and Distributed Energy Resources, a report emphasizing the critical need for integrated planning between transmission systems and DERs. Historically, these two systems have operated in silos, but with the accelerating clean energy transition, coordination between them has become essential to maintain grid reliability, enhance efficiency, and reduce costs.
The report outlines how investing in the transmission-distribution interface can support the growing role of DERs, which are expected to nearly double in capacity by 2027. Case studies from Southern California, Hawaii, and Australia illustrate the benefits of aligning strategies to ensure renewable energy flows seamlessly across regions. Learn more here.
Report: State Policies to Advance Transmission Modernization and Expansion
Americans for a Clean Energy Grid | September 2024
On September 9, Americans for a Clean Energy Grid published a report analyzing how state policies can drive the modernization and expansion of high-capacity interstate transmission infrastructure. The report highlights states' pivotal role in transmission planning and development, particularly in creating policies that support grid reliability, affordability, and resilience. Through surveys and expert interviews, the report identifies key state-level policies that promote transmission expansion, emphasizes the importance of long-term planning, and advocates for interstate collaboration. It also offers practical examples for state policymakers and advocates to follow in advancing grid modernization. For more details, read the full report here.
Report: 2023 Transmission Congestion Report
Grid Strategies | September 2024
On September 9, Grid Strategies published the 2023 Transmission Congestion Report, revealing that transmission congestion in the U.S. cost consumers approximately $8 billion in 2023. This congestion results from insufficient transmission grid capacity, which blocks the delivery of lower-cost energy resources to consumers, forcing reliance on more expensive alternatives. When scaled across the country, the estimated total congestion cost rises to $11.5 billion.
The report emphasizes the significant impact congestion has on consumers and the development of clean energy, as it slows down the deployment of cheaper renewable resources. The findings call for proactive investment in expanding transmission capacity to alleviate congestion, lower consumer costs, and enhance the reliability of the U.S. electric grid. For more details, read the full report here.
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