Sen. Markey Introduces Connect the Grid Act to End Texas’s Power Isolation
Connect the Grid Act of 2026
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill would force the Texas power grid (ERCOT) to physically connect with neighboring grids in the Midwest (MISO), South/Central (SPP), and the Western Interconnection. The required transfer capacity ranges from 2.5 to 16.2 gigawatts depending on the connection, enough to power millions of homes during emergencies.
From policy text
“between 4.3 and 12.6 gigawatts between the area under functional control of ERCOT and the area under functional control of SPP”
View in full text - The bill strips Texas's longstanding exemptions from federal energy regulation. ERCOT has historically avoided federal oversight by keeping its grid isolated within state borders. This bill repeals those exemptions, giving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authority over Texas transmission.
From policy text
“Section 212 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824k) is amended by striking subsection (k).”
View in full text - All new transmission lines must be sited, constructed, or modified by January 1, 2035. The bill prioritizes using existing rights-of-way like highways and railroads, degraded land like brownfield sites, and grid-enhancing technologies to minimize environmental and community disruption.
From policy text
“includes a timeline for that siting and construction or modification, which timeline shall include that such siting and construction or modification be completed by January 1, 2035.”
View in full text - To finance these massive infrastructure upgrades, the bill increases the borrowing authority for the federal Transmission Facilitation Program from $2.5 billion to $13.5 billion — a more than fivefold increase.
From policy text
“Section 40106(d)(2) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (42 U.S.C. 18713(d)(2)) is amended by striking ``$2,500,000,000'' and inserting ``$13,500,000,000''.”
View in full text - The bill requires meaningful outreach to environmental justice communities, Tribal and Indigenous communities, and labor organizations. Construction projects must use registered apprenticeship programs and pay prevailing wages, creating quality jobs in the energy sector.
From policy text
“the use of registered apprenticeship programs and prevailing wages, as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code.”
View in full text - A separate provision directs the Secretary of Energy to study the benefits of interconnecting U.S. electric facilities with Mexico's grid, examining reliability, climate, and cost impacts, with a report due to Congress within one year.
From policy text
“the reliability, climate, and cost benefits of the interconnection of covered facilities in the United States with covered facilities in Mexico”
View in full text
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
State Impacts
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Introduced in Senate
What Happens Next
Projected impacts based on AI analysis
FERC orders new reliability standards and convenes a technical conference to help Texas utilities comply with federal requirements
Within 6 months of enactment, the process of bringing Texas under federal energy oversight begins, and grid operators start planning the new interconnections
ERCOT and neighboring grid operators submit joint plans to build the new transmission connections
Detailed blueprints for where and how the new power lines will be built are due within one year, setting the path for construction that will take several more years
All new transmission connections between Texas and neighboring grids must be completed
By this deadline, Texas should be able to import and export gigawatts of electricity with its neighbors, dramatically improving grid resilience during extreme weather
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Connect the Grid Act of 2026
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(1)Data Sources
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.