Article: Powering the Future: Why Transmission Planning in New England Matters for Consumers and Communities
Acadia Center & NRDC | April 2025
In their blog, Acadia Center and NRDC give an overview of the critical ISO New England Longer-Term Transmission Planning Process (LTTP) that is working to achieve the goals of more regional transmission planning and procurements with state goals in mind – and how generally, LTTP is a strong step in the right direction. However, NRDC and Acadia Center advocate for stronger community engagement in the process, more incentivization of the use of existing rights-of-way, and the integration of grid-enhancing technologies. With proposals due this fall and a final selection expected in 2026, all eyes should be on whether this next wave of the transmission planning process delivers the reliability, equity, and scale the clean energy transition demands. Read More.
Statement: Major Employers Join Call for Transmission Reform
Ceres | 2025
With energy demand rising and utility costs straining families and businesses, more than 15 major companies—including IKEA, Siemens, REI Co-op, and Nestlé—have joined a Ceres-led sign-on statement urging state leaders to prioritize transmission reform and expansion.
The letter outlines two key priorities:
- Upgrading existing infrastructure using proven grid-enhancing technologies and clearing permitting bottlenecks.
- Building new transmission in strategic areas and along existing rights-of-way, with faster, more coordinated approval processes.
“Transmission improvements deliver clean power at scale—not just for homes or businesses, but for our shared future.”
—Kaley Cross, Sustainability Manager, Grove Collaborative
These companies span sectors and regions — but they’re united by a clear message: the grid needs to grow to meet this moment. Read More.
Report: Solutions for the Surge: Reducing Energy Costs with Grid-Enhancing Technologies and High-Performance Conductors
ACORE & The Brattle Group | April 2025
A new report from ACORE and The Brattle Group underscores the critical role that Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs) and High-Performance Conductors (HPCs) can play in meeting rising electricity demand while keeping energy costs down. These near-term solutions can boost transmission capacity in under a year and directly support the goals outlined in FERC Order 1920, which now requires their consideration in long-term planning. If widely adopted, the report finds these technologies could save billions annually, while delivering all seven benefits prioritized by FERC. It also highlights how state agencies can work with utilities and grid operators to accelerate deployment and ensure GETs and HPCs are fully integrated into transmission planning. Read More.
Article: Paving the Way for Cost-Effective Transmission
RMI | April 2025
RMI’s latest blog post summarizes the findings from two recent reports on transmission: "Mind the Regulatory Gap” and "High Voltage, High Reward Transmission”. The blog explores how the regulatory gap has contributed to increased spending on local transmission and how regional transmission can deliver significant savings to ratepayers. Discover how to shift away from costly, piecemeal local planning toward proven, cost-effective regional planning. It’s time to stop patching the cracks one by one and start paving the way for a comprehensive, lasting foundation.
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 if 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 on 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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