Recent U.S. Regulations Target Increase in Renewable Energy to Address Growing Electricity Needs

The recent approval of two new rules by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission marks an important milestone in the effort to streamline the expansion of large-scale power line construction and increase the availability of renewable energy in the United States. One of the rules requires companies in the electricity production and transmission sector to consider factors such as supply and demand over a 20-year period, while the other focuses on permitting critical projects in regions with insufficient transmission capacity. These regulations also emphasize the need for long-term planning to address the impact of extreme weather events linked to climate change.

By incorporating resilience measures in the face of more frequent and severe climate-related incidents, the U.S. power grid aims to become more robust and reliable.

President of Grid Strategies, Rob Gramlich, views the rule mandating long-term planning as a significant step towards advancing transmission infrastructure development. However, the opposition from FERC's lone Republican commissioner raises concerns about potential consumer impacts and government overreach. Despite differing opinions, the approval of these rules signals a positive shift towards a more accessible and sustainable energy future for American homes and businesses.