REWIRE Act

This bill would exempt projects that increase power grid capacity within existing rights-of-way or on previously disturbed or developed land from the environmental assessment and environmental impact statement process under the National Environmental Policy Act. Covered work includes repairs, upgrades, replacing wires (reconductoring), adding energy storage, and installing grid-enhancing technologies. It would require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, within one year, to write rules improving the return on equity for investments in advanced transmission conductors, while keeping rates just and reasonable. It would also have the Department of Energy, through National Laboratories, build grid planning models and set up regional partnerships with colleges, and create an application guide, technical assistance, and a clearinghouse of past projects for advanced conductors and grid-enhancing technologies.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• David McCormick Republican sponsor
• 1 cosponsors