Key Points Impacts Milestones Source This bill is one vehicle in a longer effort. See the full story across every version. View effort → Next up: A senate committee
A senate committee must act next: committee consideration.
How we got here This bill’s path across every version that has carried it.
↺ Reintroduced
Reintroduced from S. 3855 (118th), which died when its Congress ended.
S. 3855 (118th) → 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Energy Environment Infrastructure Transportation Labor Employment
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact Expand all 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
Life & Work Tribal Member 0 The bill requires meaningful outreach to Tribal and Indigenous communities and Tribal governments during the planning and siting of new transmission lines. This ensures their voices are heard, but new infrastructure could still affect Tribal lands and resources. The emphasis on community involvement is positive, though the ultimate impact depends on how well these consultations translate into protective action.
Impact Certainty Scope Duration Sentiment
Impact Certainty Scope Duration Sentiment
State Impacts State Score Impact Certainty Scope Duration Sentiment
Scores: 1 = low, 5 = high Sentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)
Milestones 2 milestones 2 actions
Mar 3, 2026 Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Mar 3, 2026
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
No votes, news coverage, or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Source Information Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Connect the Grid Act of 2026
Bill Number S 3976
Congress 119th Congress
Chamber Senate
Latest Action Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Sponsor Edward Markey
Democrat · Massachusetts
Jeff Merkley
Democrat · Oregon
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.
