Washington, D.C. — Today, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce advanced Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak's (R-N.D.) High-Capacity Grid Act (H.R. 6633) to the Full House for consideration. The legislation, which passed the Committee with a 49-0 vote, will modernize America’s transmission system by requiring the use of best-available transmission conductors for new interstate transmission lines and rebuilds.
"America's electricity demand is growing at the fastest pace in decades. To meet this demand, we must optimize our existing transmission infrastructure," Fedorchak said. "The High-Capacity Grid Act is a commonsense solution that will help us move more electricity over existing rights-of-way, improve grid reliability, and manage costs for consumers. I'm grateful to my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee for supporting this legislation, and I look forward to securing its passage on the House Floor."
Background on the High-Capacity Grid Act:
Demand for electricity continues to grow as new manufacturing and large energy users come online. Current standards and return on equity methodologies do not incentivize the use of advanced transmission conductors, even when they carry significantly more electricity with lower line losses. This leads to lower capacity lines, more line losses requiring maintenance, and increased costs for American families.
Key aspects of the bill include:
- Requiring the use of the highest-capacity, highest-efficiency, and lowest-sag commercially available conductors for new interstate transmission projects and major rebuilds.
- Increasing transmission capacity within existing rights-of-way to connect and carry more electricity, reducing the need for additional corridors and new transmission lines.
- Improving grid reliability while helping keep electricity affordable for consumers.
- Promoting cost-effective utility investments through the deployment of proven, high-performance transmission technologies.
The High-Capacity Grid Act now heads to the full House Floor for consideration.