Rail and Highway Transmission Planning Act

Key Points

• This bill, introduced by Mr. Mullin, directs the Department of Energy to study whether big power lines can be built along existing highways and railroad tracks. Using land that is already set aside for transportation could make it easier to expand the electric grid without having to buy as much new private property.
• The study will look at the technical side of building these lines, including whether they should be above ground or buried. It will also investigate if the power lines would cause any safety issues for cars or trains, such as interfering with railroad signals or communication equipment.
• By finding better places to put power lines, the government hopes to reduce energy costs for families and make the power grid more reliable. The study will compare the costs of using these existing routes versus building on other types of land to see if it saves time and money.
• The Department of Energy has three years to complete the final report for Congress. However, they are required to post their findings on a public website as they finish each part of the study so that utility companies and local governments can start using the information right away.

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