Congress Proposes Connecting Texas Power Grid to Neighbors to Improve Reliability and Prevent Blackouts
Texas farmers and ranchers could benefit from more reliable electricity for irrigation, livestock operations, and cold storage. However, new transmission line construction could cross agricultural land, and while the bill prioritizes existing rights-of-way and degraded land, some farmland may still be affected by easements or construction disruption.
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.

Members of Congress reintroduced the Connect the Grid Act this week, a bill led by Rep. Greg Casar and Sen. Ed Markey that would mandate the interconnection of the Texas power grid with national networks. The bill aims to end Texas' energy isolation to prevent mass outages and lower costs.
A study from MIT researchers found that the vast majority of blackouts during the 2021 winter storm could have been avoided if Texas were connected to the national grid. The findings bolster the case for the Connect the Grid Act, which requires ERCOT to build major interregional connections.
The Connect the Grid Act would require Texas to connect its isolated power system to neighboring states. New research suggests that increasing transfer capacity between Texas and its neighbors could reduce the likelihood of blackouts by up to 82% during extreme weather events.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Connect the Grid Act
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