§17390 Voluntary Model Pathways

Summary

The Secretary of Energy must, not later than 90 days after December 27, 2020, begin making voluntary model pathways to modernize the electric grid. These pathways, made with a steering committee, should give example policy approaches states and regions can use. They must help modernize the grid and its communications, keep the grid reliable, resilient, affordable, safe, and secure, and reflect different state and regional priorities and rate systems. The pathways should help reach goals like near real-time system awareness, data visualization, advanced monitoring and control, clearer investment rules, more innovation and consumer choice, better resilience and integration of distributed resources, forecasting, lower costs, and more diverse generation. The Secretary must also, not later than 90 days after December 27, 2020, set up a steering committee of experts from public, private, and academic groups, including representatives from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the National Laboratories, States and state regulators, transmission organizations, all parts of the electric industry, colleges and universities, and independent research institutes. The Secretary may give technical help to States, Indian Tribes, or local governments to adopt or test parts of the pathways, including on a pilot basis.