Advanced Transmission Technology to Reduce Rates Act
Sponsored By: Representative Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12]
Introduced
Summary
Department of Energy clearinghouse for advanced transmission technology that would list projects, funding authorities, and public analyses to guide grid upgrades. The bill would also let states add programs to encourage deployment and would require new wildfire-mitigation best practices for transmission lines.
Show full summary
- Ratepayers and grid customers: The clearinghouse would analyze effects on transmission capacity, congestion, grid visibility, automation, and the costs and benefits to electric utilities and ratepayers in a public way.
- Electric utilities and transmission organizations: The Secretary of Energy would be able to provide technical assistance on using the clearinghouse, accessing financial assistance, and including advanced transmission technologies in planning practices.
- States and project sponsors: States could add a program item to State energy conservation plans to facilitate deployment and get federal help developing regulatory frameworks and cost-benefit analyses. The bill also defines certain Department of Energy funding for deployments as a covered action eligible for limited National Environmental Policy Act relief.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New wildfire safety guidance for utilities
This bill would require the Department of Energy to publish best practices to reduce wildfire risk from transmission lines within 1 year. The guidance would cover vegetation management, removing forest-hazardous fuels, improved engineering, and safer operations. Utilities could use these practices voluntarily to reduce ignition risk. The Secretary and FERC would not be allowed to force utilities to follow any particular practice.
Help for grid upgrades and funding
This bill would let states add programs to deploy advanced transmission technology to their energy plans. The Department of Energy would create a public clearinghouse within 1 year listing projects, funding authorities, and cost‑benefit studies. The Department would be allowed to give technical help to utilities, transmission organizations, and state regulators. Grants or loans from the Secretary for these deployments would not count as a "major federal action" under NEPA, which would speed approvals but reduce environmental review. The Secretary and FERC would not be allowed to require utilities to adopt any specific technology.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12]
TX • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov