Interregional Transmission Planning Improvement Act of 2023
If enacted, SB1748 will mandate the FERC to implement rules enhancing interregional transmission effectiveness. This includes ensuring that planning authorities regularly conduct evaluations of interregional planning needs and eliminate arbitrary criteria related to project requirements. The bill emphasizes that interregional planning should occur at least every two years and that stakeholders should have the opportunity to propose and jointly evaluate project alternatives. These changes aim to create a more synchronized and comprehensive approach to energy transmission planning across state lines.
SB1748, titled the 'Interregional Transmission Planning Improvement Act of 2023', aims to reform the interregional transmission planning process overseen by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The bill seeks to enhance the effectiveness of existing planning processes, ensuring they identify projects that provide significant economic, reliability, and operational benefits while also considering public interest and consumer protection. The legislation outlines criteria for project selection that focuses on cost-effective solutions that benefit stakeholders broadly.
There may be pushback regarding the proposed changes, particularly from utility companies and local regulators who may see this as a shift in authority that undermines local input. Critics could argue that while the bill aims to simplify and improve interregional planning, it runs the risk of prioritizing broader market interests over local needs. The successful implementation of these reforms will depend on balancing various interests, including those of consumers, local governments, and energy developers, to ensure that the benefits of interregional transmission planning are realized without marginalizing specific regional concerns.