In a recent development concerning the nation’s electric grid, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has taken crucial steps to accelerate the buildout of a 21st-century electric grid. This initiative comes at a time when extreme weather events, exacerbated by climate change, are causing more frequent power outages for communities across the country. Just last week, nearly 200,000 people in several midwestern and southern states experienced power loss due to tornadoes and thunderstorms.
The FERC rules aim to address the slow growth in new transmission lines, which has hindered the delivery of clean power to meet the increasing demand. Despite record growth in clean energy installations in 2023, recent transmission growth has only been at 1%, falling far short of the pace needed to achieve climate goals. Outdated infrastructure, disagreements over funding for new transmission lines, and inefficient planning processes have hindered progress in this area, resulting in increased ratepayer bills and contributing to blackouts during extreme weather events.
The Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation Rule introduced by FERC will require transmission planning regions to consider a 20-year planning horizon, taking into account changes in the electric system, demand from electrification of vehicles and buildings, and evolving weather patterns. The Interstate Transmission Siting Rule will streamline the process for interstate transmission projects with broad benefits, ensuring they are not delayed or blocked by individual states.
Moreover, the Department of Energy (DOE) has proposed the creation of federal corridors for high-voltage transmission lines to deliver affordable clean energy from areas with abundant resources to regions where it is needed the most. By designating these areas as National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors, DOE seeks to address high electricity costs and reliability concerns resulting from inadequate transmission capacity.
In addition to building new transmission lines, the Biden administration has launched the Federal-State Modern Grid Deployment Initiative, involving commitments from 21 states to deploy innovative grid technologies that can bolster the capacity of the power grid without the need for new transmission lines. This initiative aims to expand affordable, reliable, and clean power on existing and new transmission lines.
These efforts to strengthen the grid align with recent EPA protections announced in April, which aim to reduce toxic air pollution and climate-heating emissions from fossil fuel power plants. By bringing more wind, solar, and battery storage onto the grid, these actions contribute to securing a safer climate, enhancing resilience to extreme weather, improving air quality, and lowering energy bills for consumers.
Overall, the suite of federal actions undertaken to enhance the electric grid signifies a significant step towards a cleaner energy future, benefiting communities across the country that rely on a reliable and resilient grid to power their homes and businesses.
In this article, the US Department of Energy’s efforts to improve the power grid are discussed. The goal is to deliver reliable, affordable, and clean power to consumers. The latest steps being taken to achieve this goal are outlined, highlighting the importance of modernizing and upgrading the grid infrastructure. By investing in new technologies and implementing smart grid solutions, the Department of Energy aims to create a more resilient and efficient power grid for the future.