Over Two Dozen Organizations Call on FERC to Support Large-Scale Transmission

Macro Grid Initiative

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANOPR) on regional transmission planning, cost allocation and generator interconnection issued in July by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), over two dozen organizations sent a letter to FERC Commissioners today expressing their support for large-scale transmission.

The signatories to the letter, most of which are supporters of the Macro Grid Initiative Vision Statement, include utilities, NGOs, think tanks, labor unions, state energy officials, national trade associations, agricultural and environmental organizations.

“We encourage moving towards rules that improve the structures and regulations under the Commission’s jurisdiction that enable large-scale regional and interregional transmission expansion to ensure that we have a resilient, clean, reliable, and affordable power system,” the signatories wrote, citing “the fast-growing and widespread recognition of the importance of large-scale transmission to ensure that the nation’s transmission system is capable of supporting future needs.”

The letter identifies several ways electricity users benefit from transmission, such as enhancing reliability through the mitigation of threats like Winter Storm Uri and facilitating the transition to clean energy to achieve decarbonization goals. The signatories also commended FERC for “establishing the Federal-State Joint Task Force on Transmission and for seeking to work collaboratively with states in its rulemaking process.”

“The diverse group of signatories on this joint statement understand that expanding and upgrading the nation’s transmission network will deliver jobs and economic development, a cleaner environment, and lower costs for consumers. The Macro Grid Initiative applauds FERC for initiating the ANOPR process, which we hope brings us one step closer to the 21st century Macro Grid we know is needed to deliver the reliable, affordable, and clean energy future that Americans want and deserve,” added Barbara Tyran, Director of the Macro Grid Initiative.

Reply comments in response to the ANOPR are due in November, which could be followed by a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

For more information on the Macro Grid Initiative, click here.

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About Macro Grid Initiative:
The Macro Grid Initiative, a joint effort of the American Council on Renewable Energy and Americans for a Clean Energy Grid, seeks to expand and upgrade the nation’s transmission network to deliver job growth and economic development, a cleaner environment, and lower costs for consumers.

Media Contacts:

Blake McCarren
Communications Manager
American Council on Renewable Energy
mccarren@acore.org | 301.661.7375 (c)

Alex Hobson
Vice President of Communications
American Council on Renewable Energy
hobson@acore.org | 202.777.7584 (o) | 202.594.0706 (c)