§18715a Grants to facilitate the siting of interstate electricity transmission lines

Summary

Provides $760,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, available until September 30, 2029, for grants and administration to help site high-voltage interstate or offshore power lines. Grants can pay for things like studies and analyses, looking at up to 3 alternate routes, joining regulatory meetings in other places or with a Transmission Organization, taking part in FERC or state rate and cost proceedings, and other actions the Secretary approves to speed up approval. Grants can also fund economic development for communities affected by a project, but no grant can cause federal spending after September 30, 2031. To get money for siting work, a siting authority must agree in writing to make a final decision within 2 years of the grant unless the Secretary allows more time for good cause. Federal funds for joining other-jurisdiction or FERC/state proceedings cannot cover more than 50 percent of costs. Economic development grants go to a siting authority only after the project is approved, and to other state, local, or Tribal governments only after construction starts in their area. Any siting authority that does not spend its grant within 2 years must return the leftover money. A "covered transmission project" is a planned interstate or offshore line of at least 275 kilovolts on land or 200 kilovolts offshore where the builder has applied or told the siting authority they will apply. A "siting authority" is the government body that can make the final siting or permitting decision.