H.R. 10769: Solar Use Network Act

This bill would make it easier to place certain kinds of infrastructure within the right-of-way of Federal-aid highways, which are highways that receive federal funding.

What counts as eligible infrastructure

The bill says that, for this purpose, the following would be treated as facilities that can be accommodated under existing federal highway rules:

• Electric vehicle charging infrastructure
• Renewable energy generation facilities
• Electrical transmission and distribution infrastructure
• Broadband infrastructure and conduit

What states would be allowed to do

The bill would allow a state, acting on behalf of the Secretary of Transportation, to approve placement of these facilities within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway under the relevant federal highway accommodation rules.

Practical effect

In plain terms, the bill would expand the types of energy and communications infrastructure that can be approved along federally supported highways. This could affect where EV chargers, power lines, renewable energy-related equipment, and broadband lines or conduits may be installed, subject to state approval and existing highway rules.

Relevant Companies

• TSLA — Tesla could be indirectly affected if the bill makes it easier to site more EV charging infrastructure.
• CHPT — ChargePoint could be indirectly affected if expanded siting opportunities increase deployment of EV charging stations.
• BLNK — Blink Charging could be indirectly affected for the same reason.
• NXST — Nextracker could be indirectly affected if renewable energy-related facilities near highway rights-of-way expand.
• AMT — American Tower could be indirectly affected if broadband infrastructure deployment along rights-of-way increases, though the impact is likely limited.
• CCI — Crown Castle could be indirectly affected if broadband conduit and related infrastructure siting becomes easier.