H.R. 8248: Grid Expansion and Reliability Act

The Grid Expansion and Reliability Act is a legislative proposal that seeks to amend the Federal Power Act regarding the construction and modification of electric transmission facilities. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill intends to do:

Changes to Authority

The bill proposes to transfer the authority previously held by the Secretary of Energy to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This means that FERC would take over responsibilities related to the siting of interstate electric transmission facilities within designated national interest electric transmission corridors.

Self-Certification Process

Under the bill, any individual or company wishing to construct or modify an electric transmission facility in these corridors would be allowed to do so after self-certifying certain information to FERC. This self-certification process includes providing details such as:

• The legal name and address of the entity undertaking the construction.
• Whether the entity is an individual or corporation and the state of incorporation if it’s a corporation.
• A brief description of the entity’s existing operations.
• A concise description of the proposed transmission facility, including expected start and completion dates.
• A table of contents listing all documents included in the self-certification.

Regulation Issuance

FERC is required to issue regulations to implement this self-certification process within one year of the enactment of the bill. This regulation is expected to outline how the certification process will work and the specifics of what is required.

Audits and Reports

The bill establishes a requirement for FERC to conduct annual audits of each self-certification to ensure compliance with the information requirements. Moreover, FERC must submit annual reports to Congress evaluating the efficacy of the self-certification process, identifying any problems encountered, and recommending improvements if necessary.

Overall Intent

The main aim of the Grid Expansion and Reliability Act is to streamline the process for constructing and modifying electric transmission facilities to enhance the reliability and expansion of the electric grid in the United States. By allowing self-certification and transferring authority to FERC, the legislation seeks to facilitate faster construction of necessary infrastructure within designated corridors.

Relevant Companies

None found