High-Capacity Grid Act
Sponsored By: Representative Fedorchak
Introduced
Summary
Best-available transmission conductor standard: This bill would add a rule that presumes the highest-capacity, most efficient conductors are the prudent choice for covered transmission projects. It would also create a presumption against recovering costs for non-best-available conductors.
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- Public utilities would face a presumption that using best-available conductors for covered projects is prudent and that those costs are just and reasonable when seeking rate recovery. Covered projects include building new transmission lines and upgrades, replacements, or reconductoring of existing lines under the Commission's jurisdiction.
- The bill defines "best-available transmission conductor" by three technical criteria: greatest feasible and commercially available energy-carrying capacity at a given voltage, highest feasible electrical efficiency at that voltage, and mitigation of thermal sag at maximum rated capacity. This sets a technical floor for what counts as best-available.
- The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission would be required to issue rules within 180 days to set a methodology for identifying best-available conductors. The methodology must match the listed criteria and be reviewed periodically to reflect new materials and performance improvements.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Utilities must use best conductors
This bill would require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to define a "best-available transmission conductor." The bill would define that conductor by three technical criteria: greatest energy-carrying capacity at a given voltage, highest electrical efficiency at that voltage, and mitigation of thermal sag at maximum rated capacity. It would apply to public utilities and to new or upgraded transmission projects FERC regulates under section 201(b). For filings to recover conductor costs, the bill would presume using a best-available conductor is prudent and presume non-best conductors are not. The Commission would have 180 days after enactment to write rules and a methodology, and to update that methodology over time as technology improves.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Fedorchak
ND • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8]
AZ • R
Sponsored 12/17/2025
Crenshaw
TX • R
Sponsored 1/9/2026
Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6]
IN • R
Sponsored 1/20/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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