TRANSMISSION 2025: PROSPECTS FOR REFORM IN US GRID PERMITTING AND PLANNING - 2024 has been a consequential year in US grid policy, with developments including FERC’s Order 2023 on generator interconnection and Order 1920 on transmission planning and cost allocation, DOE’s National Transmission Needs and Planning Studies, and progress on the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor process. However, challenges remain, including long permitting times, planning uncertainty, local opposition, siting issues, and supply chain disruptions. Currently, it takes over 10 years on average to site, permit, and build a transmission line—far short of the capacity needed to meet climate goals, which demand a 60% increase in high-voltage transmission by 2030 and tripling by 2050 from the current transmission system of 300,000 miles.

This event examines 2025’s key opportunities and obstacles for the transmission buildout, including potential actions by a new administration to accelerate deployment, bipartisan legislative possibilities, and strategies for funding, permitting, interconnection, planning, and innovation. The event also features the release of an Atlantic Council paper on lowering costs and maximizing benefits of transmission infrastructure.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 12/03/2024