Electric Grid: Upgrading Power Lines with Advanced Technology
To accelerate the modernization of the national electric grid by supporting advanced conductors and related systems, and for other purposes.
A house committee must act next: committee consideration.
The bill has support from both parties and addresses a major need for more power, but changes to tax credits and environmental rules often face long debates.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
Reconductoring and right-of-way optimization projects often run through agricultural and rural land, and the bill allows widening of existing rights-of-way 'into a small area beyond' previously disturbed land to meet electrical standards, which could affect farmers and ranchers with easements. At the same time, faster permitting and reduced need for entirely new transmission corridors may limit new land takings compared to building fresh lines.
“may involve widening an existing right-of-way to meet current electrical standards if the widening remains within previously disturbed or developed lands and only extends into a small area beyond such lands as needed to comply with applicable electrical standards”
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Rep. George Whitesides (D-CA) and Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-NC) introduced the Lowering Energy Costs through Grid Modernization Act. The legislation supports upgrading existing infrastructure with high-capacity cables to meet soaring energy demands and reduce wildfire risks without decade-long delays.
The Lowering Energy Costs through Grid Modernization Act would speed deployment of advanced conductors on existing power line corridors. Rep. Whitesides emphasized that the bill provides a common-sense fix to upgrade existing wires, doubling capacity and lowering power bills for families.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
To accelerate the modernization of the national electric grid by supporting advanced conductors and related systems, and for other purposes.
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