Integrated Local, Regional, and Interregional Transmission Planning Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]
Introduced
Summary
Creates a FERC-led framework to integrate interregional, regional, and local transmission planning to improve grid reliability, affordability, and resilience. It sets common planning rules, 20-year scenario requirements, joint plans across adjacent regions, and beneficiary-based cost allocation to guide which transmission projects get built and how costs are assigned.
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- Families and ratepayers: Costs from projects must be allocated to identifiable beneficiaries and rate filings must be just and reasonable. That aims to protect customers from paying for projects that do not deliver clear benefits.
- Transmission Planning Regions and grid operators: Adjacent regions must produce joint plans using planning scenarios of 20 years or more and submit joint transmission plans within 1 year after the final rule. The Commission can impose plans, set firm deadlines, or levy civil penalties if regions fail to comply.
- Project developers and owners: Regions must solicit proposals and identify covered local, regional, and interregional facilities. Projects chosen under approved joint plans are treated as meeting certain construction-permit criteria and can be pursued through standard transmission tariff filings.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Common Method for Project Selection
If enacted, the bill would require joint plans to use a common selection method to pick projects across adjacent regions. The method must account for transmission benefits net of costs and aim to maximize net benefits in the public interest. It must consider existing plans and set minimum interregional transfer capability. Projects could include upgrades like reconductoring, advanced conductors, and grid-enhancing technologies.
Deadlines for Joint Transmission Plans
If enacted, each Transmission Planning Region would have to submit a joint transmission plan to FERC within one year after the final rule and update it at least every three years. Regions must jointly plan with each immediately adjacent region, solicit proposals and cost guidance from owners and developers, and require in-kind replacement estimates for transmission facilities at or above 200 kilovolts expected to be replaced in the next 10 years.
FERC Rule for Long-Term Planning
If enacted, the bill would require FERC to propose a rule within 6 months and issue a final rule within 18 months to integrate interregional, regional, and qualified local planning. The rule would require planning for near-term (<5 years), medium-term (5–10 years), and long-term (10–20+ years) needs and use scenarios of 20 years or more. Plans would have to consider state integrated resource plans, fuel and technology trends, retirements, interconnection requests, policy and tribal goals, and extreme weather risk.
New National Grid Planning Process
If enacted, the bill would add a new Section to require integrated planning of interregional, regional, and qualifying local transmission facilities. FERC, Transmission Planning Regions, and the Electric Reliability Organization would get new definitions and duties to plan together to improve reliability, affordability, and resilience. The statute would exclude the ERCOT region from the definition of Transmission Planning Region. Over time this could steer large transmission investments and affect costs and reliability for many customers.
FERC Enforcement Tools for Planning
If enacted, FERC could give a transmission planning region a one-time 180-day extension to file a joint plan. If the region still fails, FERC could set a firm filing date, impose civil penalties, or require the region to follow a Commission-approved joint plan with cost allocation rules. These remedies are meant to ensure plans are filed and implemented.
NEPA and Permits for Selected Projects
If enacted, accepting a joint transmission plan or ordering dispute resolution would not be treated as a major Federal action under NEPA. But granting a section 216(b) construction permit for a project selected under a joint plan would be treated as a major Federal action. A project chosen under a joint plan would be considered to meet certain section 216(b) permit requirements, which could speed permitting steps.
Who Pays for Transmission Projects
If enacted, the bill would let utilities file tariffs for projects built under joint transmission plans. Any cost allocation method must follow FERC's rules and cannot force customers who get no reasonably identifiable benefit to pay. FERC would approve plans only if rates are just and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory. Some customers could still see higher electric bills depending on how costs are divided.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]
IL • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14]
FL • D
Sponsored 9/24/2026
Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/24/2026
Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]
MA • D
Sponsored 9/24/2026
Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16]
NY • D
Sponsored 9/24/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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