The Transmission Possible Newsletter |
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Welcome to the October Edition of the Transmission Possible Newsletter! Dive into this month’s issue, packed with the latest breakthroughs in transmission planning, regional updates, and FERC-related news.
Earlier today, we shared our monthly newsletter that included an outdated description of recent legislative progress in California. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused. Below you’ll find updated summaries for AB 825, SB 254, and AB 1207, reflecting the most current details from California’s 2025 energy affordability and transmission package.
Thank you for your continued engagement and staying plugged in with Transmission Possible! |
Regional Leadership: Momentum on Markets & Transmission |
California Opens the Door to a West-Wide Market
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law The Pathways Bill, allowing California’s utilities to join a new, independent Regional Organization for Western Energy. This landmark legislation clears the way for a fully integrated Western electricity market. By resolving long-standing political hurdles, the new framework creates a pathway to a West-wide RTO that can deliver lower costs, greater reliability, and expanded opportunities for clean energy. Read more.
Governors Hosted Historic 13-State Summit on PJM Reforms
On September 22, the 13 states of the PJM region convened and unprecedented PJM energy summit hosted by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. This summit included representatives of all 13 PJM governors and key stakeholders from across the region.
These actions and commitments in both the East and West continue to signal the importance of prioritizing transmission and energy planning at a regional level. We are excited to see the momentum continue! |
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Federal Transmission Happenings |
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Bipartisan Caucus Unveils Permitting Reform Framework
The House Problem Solvers Caucus, comprising 49 members (26 Democrats and 23 Republicans), released a framework to accelerate permitting for large-scale infrastructure, including transmission. The proposal would strengthen the roles of DOE and FERC in interregional planning, promote grid-enhancing technologies (GETs), and establish clear timelines to streamline reviews and reduce litigation. Led by Reps. Scott Peters (D-CA), Gabe Evans (R-CO), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Tom Suozzi (D-NY), the framework underscores bipartisan momentum for reforms to speed up grid buildout while protecting consumers. Learn more.
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| Bipartisan Bill to Accelerate Transmission Permitting Status: Introduced in House and Senate
Reps. Scott Peters (D-CA) and Andy Barr (R-KY) have introduced the SPEED and Reliability Act (H.R. 7786), with a companion bill in the Senate (S. 4027). The legislation aims to streamline federal permitting for large transmission projects by reducing duplicative reviews, shortening timelines, and giving FERC clearer authority to issue permits for “national interest high impact” transmission facilities. Read more here.
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DOE Launches “Speed to Power” to Accelerate Grid Infrastructure
On September 18, the Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office announced the Speed to Power initiative, a federal action aimed at fast-tracking large-scale grid infrastructure projects—both transmission and generation. The initiative highlights the urgent need to expand capacity to meet rising demand, avoid reliability risks, and support U.S. competitiveness in the global artificial intelligence race. As a first step, DOE issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input on near-term projects, investment opportunities, and barriers that DOE can address through its funding and authorities. Comments are due November 21.
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Court Upholds Federal Role in Transmission Planning
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that states cannot block transmission projects approved through the FERC regional planning process. The case arose when Pennsylvania regulators denied permits for a PJM-approved project designed to ease congestion along the Pennsylvania–Maryland border. The court made clear that while states retain siting authority, they cannot substitute their judgment for regional needs identified under FERC authority. This decision reinforces the federal role in planning and cost allocation for multi-state transmission lines.
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Senate Considers FERC Nominees with Emphasis on Transmission
On September 4, the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee held a hearing for FERC nominees Laura Swett and David LaCerte, where both stressed the importance of new transmission to meet rising demand. Senators highlighted grid reliability, independence of FERC, and the urgent need to address interconnection backlogs and build more interregional lines. Both nominees underscored that transmission expansion is “beyond debate” and essential for long-term growth and reliability. The nominees were passed out of the Committee and await a vote by the full Senate.
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Regional Transmission Updates |
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Five States and Advocate Challenge MISO’s $22B Transmission Portfolio, Other States and Advocates Push Back
Five state public service commissions—Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, and North Dakota—have filed a complaint with FERC, challenging MISO’s Long-Range Transmission Plan (Tranche 2.1). The $22 billion, 24-project portfolio, approved by MISO’s board last year, includes a 765-kV regional backbone designed to improve reliability, ease congestion, and integrate new generation. The states argue that benefits are overstated and oppose cost-sharing across the region, raising broader questions about the future of regional planning and cost allocation.
Stakeholder Positions on EL25-109-000 |
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Stakeholders opposing the complaint (supporting MISO) included MISO, utility commissions in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Kentucky; utilities including Ameren, AES Indiana, Xcel Energy, and Great River Energy; the Data Center Coalition, Clean Energy Buyers Association, consumer groups such as the Illinois Citizens Utility Board, and the Governor of Iowa.
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Stakeholders supporting the complaint included large energy user groups, including the Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group, Electricity Consumers Resource Council (ELCON), Coalition of MISO Transmission Customers, Midwest Large Energy Consumers, Louisiana Energy Users Group, and Texas Industrial Energy Consumers—along with MISO’s market monitor, Potomac Economics.
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| States Push for Stronger Role in PJM Governance
With PJM capacity prices spiking two years in a row, governors are calling for urgent reforms to strengthen their role in PJM’s governance and markets. In a September 10 letter to PJM’s board, a bipartisan group of governors urged more state representation, stronger consumer protections, and reforms to the stakeholder process. Days later, governors and state leaders gathered in Pennsylvania to continue the push, underscoring the need for alignment between state policy goals and PJM’s market design.
Key concerns include: - Limited state voice in PJM governance.
- Capacity market design raising costs and undermining clean energy goals.
- The need for PJM rules to reflect state-led policy priorities.
Looking ahead, 11 PJM states—including Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Indiana—plan to form a governors’ collaborative to coordinate efforts on PJM issues.
Governors emphasized that reforms must occur within months, not years, to restore consumer confidence and ensure PJM supports progress in reliability, affordability, and clean energy. Learn more. |
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SPP Expands Transmission Investment Plans
During the September 4 board meeting, SPP’s Board approved a revised cost estimate for the 345-mile Potter–Crossroads–Phantom 765 kV line, rising from $1.69 billion to $3.62 billion, citing its critical role in supporting 10 GW of new generation. Looking ahead, SPP previewed its 2025 Integrated Transmission Plan, totaling $18.3 billion—nearly double last year’s record plan. The new portfolio includes a 765 kV overlay across much of the footprint to meet surging peak load. The 2025 ITP is slated for presentation to SPP's members and board of directors in November 2025 for approval.
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State Transmission Updates |
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AB 1280 – Climate Catalyst Financing Expansion
Status: Passed Both Chambers
Expands California’s Climate Catalyst Revolving Fund Program by creating a dedicated Clean Energy Transmission Financing Account overseen by the Energy Commission and CPUC. Eligible projects include high-voltage (≥200 kV) lines delivering clean resources to CAISO from constrained areas, with priority for projects not already approved in ISO planning. The bill also broadens support for industrial decarbonization and long-duration energy storage (excluding lithium-ion and pumped storage). Financing is conditioned on project labor agreements, prevailing wage, and community benefits. Aligns state financing tools with federal programs, including DOE’s SEFI authority and EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
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AB 825 – Regional Energy Market Status: Signed by the Governor
AB 825 builds on the recommendations of the West-Wide Governance Pathways Initiative (“Pathways Proposal”) by authorizing participation of California utilities in a new independent Regional Organization. This voluntary Regional Organization would be responsible for establishing energy market rules that benefit the customers of all participating entities. Note: While an earlier version referenced a Public Transmission Financing Program, those provisions were replaced; transmission financing is now addressed under SB 254 (Becker), which established the Transmission Infrastructure Accelerator and related revolving fund.
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SB 254 – Transmission Infrastructure Accelerator Status: Signed by the Governor
Establishes the California Transmission Infrastructure Accelerator within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) to finance and expedite high-priority transmission projects. The bill also directs the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (I-Bank) to administer a new Transmission Accelerator Revolving Fund, supported by 5% of electric utility cap-and-trade revenues beginning July 1, 2026 – expected to generate between $100 million and $300 million annually. The goal of the public financing mechanism established under this bill is to help lower project costs, de-risk investments, and accelerate clean-energy transmission development. The Accelerator is required to publish a strategy and implementation plan by December 31, 2026.
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| AB 1207 – Cap-and-Trade Reform and Transmission Funding
Status: Signed by the Governor
Extends and reforms California’s cap-and-trade program through 2045 under the new “Cap-and-Invest” framework. The bill updates the program’s design by adopting the U.S. EPA’s 2023 social cost of carbon, establishing a carbon price ceiling to stabilize markets, and redirecting revenues to better align with the state’s clean-energy transition. Starting July 1, 2026, 5% of electric utility cap-and-trade revenues will be deposited into the California Transmission Accelerator Revolving Fund, established under SB 254 (Becker), to help finance priority transmission projects. The bill also shifts affordability support from gas utilities to electric distribution, helping reduce ratepayer burdens while driving grid modernization.
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PUR-2025-00154 – Transmission Rebuild
Status: Filed with Virginia SCC
Dominion Energy Virginia seeks approval to rebuild 28 miles of 230 kV transmission lines in Henrico, Charles City, and New Kent Counties. The $146–186 million project would replace aging wood H-frame structures with steel monopoles and new conductors. Construction is slated for 2026–2028, with costs fully assigned to the Dominion Zone. |
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AB 174 – Transmission, Renewable Siting, and Nuclear Policy
Status: Introduced
Establishes competitive bidding and auditing requirements for transmission facility contracts and grants incumbent utilities the right of first refusal to construct MISO-approved lines connecting to their systems. Imposes new siting requirements for large wind, solar, and battery projects, including decommissioning and drainage plans, financial assurance, and acreage limits (≤2,000 acres per town, ≤5,000 per county). Requires projects on prime farmland to purchase conservation easements. Declares nuclear energy a state policy priority equal to renewables by redefining “renewable resources” to include “low-carbon-emission” resources such as nuclear. Also requires light-mitigating technology for new wind systems and high-voltage transmission towers, with feasibility studies for existing permitted structures due July 1, 2026.
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Updates From Our Coalition Partners |
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Resource: Gridlock to Growth Advanced Energy United | August 2025
Advanced Energy United has launched a new resource, GridlocktoGrowth.org, which aims to educate state lawmakers on ways they can engage with their RTOs and ISOs. It includes downloadable fact sheets about each transmission planning region, an overview of FERC and its importance, and policy recommendations for state leaders who wish to address transmission issues.
In their recent blog, United’s Verna Mandez and Caitlin Marquis reflect on outcomes from the recent Gridlock to Growth workshop in early August, which aimed to help state lawmakers better understand the complexities of the regional transmission system and provide concrete solutions to meet rising electricity demand nationwide. |
Report: Advanced Transmission Technologies Planning Guide Quanta & RMI | 2025
A new report by Quanta, prepared for RMI, "Advanced Transmission Technologies Planning Guide," provides best practices for incorporating Advanced Transmission Technologies (ATTs) in all three major planning paradigms in the United States: transmission planning, interconnection planning, and integrated resource planning. The report demonstrates how ATTs, which include dynamic line ratings, advanced power flow controls, topology optimization, and high-performance conductors, can be leveraged to address rapidly growing electricity demand and the slowing of new generator interconnection.
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Webinar: Advanced Transmission Technologies in Planning for Utilities and Grid Operators
Quanta & RMI | September 2025
This webinar was co-hosted by Quanta Technology and RMI and brought experts across the electricity sector together to discuss the ways that utilities, grid operators, and regulators can deploy advanced transmission technologies (ATTs) to boost capacity, improve flexibility, and speed new energy integration, all while meeting requirements from recent FERC Orders (2023 and 1920).
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Report: The State Regulator’s Role in Transmission RMI | 2025
A new report from RMI, "The State Regulator’s Role in Transmission: A Handbook," provides recommendations for regulators seeking to take action to promote optimal, cost-effective transmission buildout. Transmission is an essential component of a least-cost energy mix, and state regulators at public utility commissions (PUCs) in the United States have a critical role to play in optimizing transmission buildout to lower costs for ratepayers. The report provides state regulators with the information they need to navigate the complicated transmission landscape and take concrete action at multiple stages of a transmission project's life cycle. Accompanying this handbook, RMI is also offering regulators (commissioners or staff) research, analytical, and advisory support around transmission. Please use the form on this webpage to indicate further interest.
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Webinar: The Importance of State Regulators for Cost-Effective Transmission Buildout RMI | September 2025
On September 9, RMI held a webinar on their new report, The State Regulator’s Role in Transmission: A Handbook. In it, they provided practical guidance for state public utility commission (PUC) staff and commissioners on actions they can take to advance proactive, cost-effective transmission buildout. Guest speaker Carrie Zalewski, former chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission, provided opening remarks and engaged in a robust Q&A discussion on her firsthand experience with transmission at a PUC. The webinar is recorded and available online. Accompanying the handbook and webinar, RMI is also offering state regulators (commissioners or staff) research, analytical, and advisory support around transmission. Regulators can use the form on this webpage to indicate further interest.
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Report: Utility Perspectives on Making Grid-Enhancing Technologies Work
Energy Systems Integration Group (ESIG) | August 2025
A new report from the Energy Systems Integration Group, Utility Perspectives on Making Grid-Enhancing Technologies Work, examines how utilities are deploying solutions like dynamic line ratings, advanced conductors, power flow controls, and topology optimization to unlock existing grid capacity and improve efficiency—often without the need for new rights-of-way. Drawing on real-world utility experiences and regulatory examples, the report outlines how these technologies can be moved from pilot projects to standard practice through clearer modeling, aligned incentives, and integration into planning and market processes. The findings highlight that GETs can deliver near-term congestion relief, boost reliability, and accelerate clean energy integration while longer-term transmission buildouts proceed.
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Transmission News Roundup |
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