Departments Of Energy, Interior Release Plan Outlining Path to Connect Offshore Wind to Grid
The Department of Energy and the Department of the Interior recently released a plan outlining the actions they say are needed to connect the first generation of Atlantic offshore wind projects to the electric grid, as well as to increase transmission resources over the next several decades.
Legislation to Accelerate Transmission Projects Advances in California
Legislation to accelerate California’s efforts to approve energy transmission projects, Senate Bill 619, passed the California Assembly Floor on Sept. 7.
DOE to Fund Research to Reduce Costs of High-Voltage Direct Current Transmission
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office and Office of Electricity plan to fund research to reduce costs of high-voltage direct current voltage source converter transmission systems, DOE reported in late August.
DOE Offers Up to $300 Million for Transmission Siting and Economic Development
The U.S. Department of Energy on Aug. 29 announced a funding opportunity of up to $300 million in grants for states, tribes, and local governments to accelerate and strengthen electric transmission siting and permitting processes.
Major Southwest Transmission Project Advances with Groundbreaking of Project
The SunZia Transmission Project, which will carry up to 4,500 megawatts of primarily renewable energy from New Mexico to markets in Arizona and California, advanced on Sept. 1 with a groundbreaking ceremony that was attended by several Biden Administration officials.
New LADWP Policy Calls for Spreading Out Infrastructure Upgrade Costs to All Benefitting Customers
The Board of Water and Power Commissioners for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power recently approved a policy under which LADWP’s present and future customers will fairly share in the cost of new power infrastructure upgrades located in the public right-of-way for construction projects, commonly known as underground line extensions.
DOE Proposes Rulemaking to Streamline, Set Deadlines for Federal Permitting of Transmission
The U.S. Department of Energy recently proposed a rule to establish a Coordinated Interagency Transmission Authorizations and Permits Program to accelerate federal environmental review and permitting processes for qualifying onshore electric transmission facilities.
Schumer Urges FERC to Act on Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation, Backstop Siting Rules
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) recently sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission noting his “strong interest” in FERC “expeditiously finalizing a strong transmission planning and cost allocation rule, as well as a federal backstop electric transmission siting rule.”
Bonneville Power Administration Moves Forward with More Than $2 Billion in Grid Projects
The Bonneville Power Administration on July 13 said that it is moving forward with more than $2 billion in multiple transmission substation and line projects necessary to reinforce the grid.
Department of Energy Extends Transmission Corridor Request for Information Deadline
The Department of Energy has extended the deadline for a request for information related to the designation of national electric transmission corridors.