Fedorchak introduces High-Capacity Grid Act to modernize America’s transmission system
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) today introduced the High-Capacity Grid Act, legislation to modernize America’s transmission system by requiring the use of best-available transmission conductors for new interstate transmission lines and rebuilds.
“America cannot afford to build yesterday’s grid for tomorrow’s needs,” Fedorchak said. “Forecasts indicate the United States will need at least 100 GW of new power in the next five years—more than we’re anticipated to bring online. To meet this record demand, we need to optimize our existing infrastructure, which is exactly what the High-Capacity Grid Act does. Directing FERC to establish a best-available transmission conductor standard will strengthen energy reliability, maximize line capacity, improve wildfire resilience, and save billions of dollars in new transmission line costs for Americans.”
The cost of transmission is the biggest driver of increasing utility rates. According to a Brattle study and the Energy Information Administration, transmission costs have increased 181 percent since 2005. At the same time, generation costs have decreased 35 percent.
“Advanced conductors can carry double the electricity of traditional power lines. Using this new technology in every possible application is essential to meeting demand at the lowest possible cost,” Fedorchak added.
Utilities often rebuild or upgrade lines using outdated, inefficient conductors, even when far superior technologies are available. This leads to:
- Underbuilt lines that require additional upgrades only a few years later.
- Higher temperatures and line sag, increasing vegetation-contact and wildfire risk.
- Slower project timelines and frequent line losses, increasing costs for Americans.
The High-Capacity Grid Act directs FERC to establish a best-available transmission conductor standard, requiring utilities to use the highest-capacity, highest-efficiency, and lowest-sag commercially available conductors for interstate transmission.
The High-Capacity Grid Act amends Section 205 of the Federal Power Act to:
- Define Best-Available Transmission Conductor: A best-available conductor must provide the greatest feasible capacity at a given voltage, deliver the highest electrical efficiency, and mitigate thermal sag.
- Apply the Standard to All Covered Projects: Includes new FERC-jurisdictional lines and upgrades, modifications, replacements, or reconductoring of existing lines.
- Establish Cost-Recovery Presumptions: Utilities are precluded from recovering the costs of non-best-available conductors through consumers’ electric bills, unless the utility can clearly demonstrate that a lesser conductor is the best available in their specific context.
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