Reps. Casten, Levin introduce bill to build out transmission lines
U.S. Reps. Sean Casten (D-IL) and Mike Levin (D-CA) were among a group of House lawmakers that introduced legislation this week that seeks to accelerate the development of energy transmission lines.
The Clean Electricity and Transmission Acceleration (CETA) Act addresses what the lawmakers call the biggest challenge facing the United States’ ability to meet its climate goals — the lack of capacity on the electrical grid to connect clean energy generation.
CETA aims to support the buildout of transmission lines to transport the electricity from its generation source to American homes. It will also look to increase the grid’s reliability and resilience in the face of increasing extreme weather events. Further, it promotes the development of renewable energy on public lands and oceans.
More specifically, the bill would amend the Federal Power Act to direct the Federal Regulatory Commission to issue new rules on improving interregional planning, siting, and deployment of transmission. Also, it would provide a 30 percent transmission investment tax credit; incentivize development of renewable energy on priority areas within our public lands; reform the Outer Continental Shelf Lands to encourage offshore wind deployment; and expand meaningful consultation with disadvantaged groups and communities in the permitting process.
“When Congressman Mike Levin and I started our work on the Clean Electricity and Transmission Acceleration Act, we did so with two goals in mind,” Casten said. “First, to address the primary issues holding back our clean energy transition. Second, to craft a bill that may serve as the consensus transmission and permitting reform bill of the House Democratic Caucus. We are incredibly proud to introduce a bill that paves the way for more electricity transmission buildout and has the support of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the New Democrat Coalition, and co-sponsors from across the Democratic Party.”
The bill is cosponsored by 74 House Democrats, including Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Annie Kuster (D-NH), and Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ).
“Last Congress, Democrats made the single largest investment in climate action in U.S. history. Now, we must unlock its full potential by addressing the transmission permitting issues that are preventing us from bringing clean energy from where it’s generated to American households,” said SEEC Clean Energy Deployment Task Force Co-Chair Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49). “Our Clean Electricity and Transmission Acceleration Act will support the responsible buildout of transmission and renewables, while strengthening environmental protections and bringing impacted communities to the decision-making table. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make these necessary investments to improve the resilience of our grid and ensure all Americans have access to clean, affordable energy.”
The bill is endorsed by House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition Clean Energy Task Force, which Casten chairs, along with the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and the New Democrat Coalition.
