SPEED and Reliability Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Peters
Introduced
Summary
Would streamline permitting for major interstate electric transmission projects. It would reshape how permits, lead-agency roles, and cost recovery work so projects judged in the national interest move faster while keeping room for state and landowner input.
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- Families and ratepayers: Would bar involuntary charges for customers who do not benefit from a new line and allow voluntary agreements to cover those costs. This creates a clearer protection for non-benefiting customers.
- Utilities and developers: Would create a reworked permit path that authorizes construction for projects deemed necessary in the national interest, sets a voltage threshold (not less than 100 kilovolts) or Commission-determined levels for advanced conductors, and requires a 60-day public comment period in hearings. Tariff-based cost allocation would follow cost-causation principles and list specific benefits that justify charges.
- States, landowners, and federal agencies: Would reaffirm state siting authority while requiring structured opportunities for state and landowner input and would make the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the lead agency for most projects, with the Department of the Interior leading on projects on its leases or outer continental shelf rights-of-way. The law would exclude ERCOT from certain provisions.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
No new federal power over retail rates
The bill would make clear FERC would not gain authority over retail electricity sales or local distribution. State and local control over retail rates and distribution would stay the same. These rules would take effect when the bill is enacted.
New federal rules for big power lines
FERC would need to find a project serves interstate commerce and is in the public interest before issuing a permit. It would weigh reliability, congestion cuts, consumer benefits, and energy independence. Lines would generally carry at least 100 kilovolts, and upgrades should use existing towers or rights‑of‑way when reasonable. A hearing with at least 60 days for public comment would be required, with landowner input considered. FERC would be lead agency, except the Interior Department would lead for projects on Outer Continental Shelf leases; key coordination deadlines would be 18 months after enactment. State siting powers would remain, ERCOT would be excluded, and no new rulemaking would be required unless the bill says so. These rules would take effect when the bill is enacted.
Who pays for new power lines
If FERC finds a new or upgraded line is in the national interest, utilities would need to file tariffs that charge costs to customers who benefit. Customers who get no benefit, or only a trivial one compared to the cost, would not be forced to pay. Utilities could still use voluntary deals to recover costs. Tariffs would need to weigh benefits like reliability, less congestion and losses, more capacity, and access to lower‑cost power. Payments to impacted jurisdictions could count as prudent costs for recovery. These rules would take effect when the bill is enacted.
Technical edits to transmission rules
The bill would remove references to older "national interest" corridor listings from several laws and update wording in interstate‑compact procedures. It would clarify language for parties unable to reach an agreement on an application. These are text edits and would not by themselves change who gets money or who qualifies. These edits would take effect when the bill is enacted.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Peters
CA • D
Cosponsors
Barr
KY • R
Sponsored 9/26/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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