Advanced Transmission Technology to Reduce Rates Act
Sponsored By: Representative Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12]
In Committee
Summary
Creates a public clearinghouse for advanced transmission technology and offers technical help while adding wildfire-mitigation rules. The bill would direct the Energy Secretary to publish project lists, funding options, and cost-benefit analyses and to provide technical assistance for deploying advanced transmission technology.
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- Electric utilities would get a one-stop clearinghouse with project lists, funding authorities, and technical help to evaluate and adopt advanced transmission technologies. The bill also says the Secretary or FERC cannot force a utility to use any technology.
- Transmission organizations and State regulatory authorities would receive analyses and assistance to include advanced technologies in planning and to develop regulatory frameworks and cost-benefit studies.
- Funding provided by the Secretary for deployment would be a "covered action" exempt from the National Environmental Policy Act review and the bill would require wildfire-mitigation best practices on vegetation, engineering, and safer operations to be developed within 1 year.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Public clearinghouse for grid tech
The Secretary of Energy would set up a public clearinghouse on advanced transmission technology. The clearinghouse must be created not later than 1 year after enactment. It would list DOE projects, financial authorities, and analyses of capacity, congestion, costs, and geography/weather effects. The Department would provide technical help, upon request, to utilities, transmission planners, and state regulators.
Best practices to reduce wildfires
The Secretary of Energy would publish best practices to reduce wildfire ignitions from transmission lines. The Office of Electricity would finish this work not later than 1 year after enactment. Required topics include vegetation management, removal of hazardous fuels, better engineering, and safer operations. The guidance would not allow DOE or FERC to force utilities to adopt the practices.
NEPA change for DOE transmission funding
The bill would say DOE funding, loans, or grants for advanced transmission technology are not a "major Federal action" under NEPA. That rule would apply only to covered funding for deployment of advanced transmission technology. If enacted, this would likely speed reviews and deployment for funded projects. It would also narrow the scope of environmental review for those projects.
States may add transmission programs
State energy offices would be allowed to include programs to deploy advanced transmission technology in their conservation plans. This change would take effect upon enactment. It would expand planning options for states and could help support state-led transmission projects.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12]
TX • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8]
CO • R
Sponsored 6/30/2026
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
VA • D
Sponsored 7/13/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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