Initiative

Macro Grid Initiative

The Macro Grid Initiative promotes investment in a 21st century transmission network that will drive job growth, reduce pollution, and save American consumers money.

About

Antiquated transmission infrastructure and a balkanized electric grid are limiting America’s ability to meet changing demands on the electric system.

Investment in more interregional transmission through a U.S. Macro Grid that better connects our largest population centers with our lowest-cost clean energy resources will enhance grid reliability and resiliency, save consumers billions of dollars, deliver significant job creation, and dramatically reduce carbon emissions.

There are many polarizing issues dividing America today, but support for reliable electricity is not among them. No one is in favor of power outages, and no one should be left in the dark.

Ted Thomas

Former Arkansas PSC Chair

Power system operators confirm that a larger geographic footprint for the nation’s power grids decreases variability in energy supply and demand while also improving system performance. As extreme weather events increase in frequency and severity, more interregional transmission lines will be critical to prevent deadly power outages and grid failures. More interregional lines would also help enable the transfer of the lowest-cost power during normal operating conditions.

A map of the U.S. highlighting the lack of existing transmission capacity — Based on the EPA Integrated Planning Model, the analysis of existing electricity transmission transfer capacity between adjacent FERC Order 1000 planning regions. Percent [%] reflects the interconnection capacity of connected regions as a percentage of the peak load of the larger region. Arrow colors indicate levels, red ≤ 5%, yellow 6-14%, green ≥ 15%

The research is clear: the U.S. urgently needs a macro grid.

1 B The U.S could reduce emissions by 1 billion tons annually by 2030 if transmission expansion is more than doubled.
$ 1 B ERCOT and the Southeast could have saved nearly $1 billion for each additional gigawatt of transmission ties.
$ 40 B The U.S. would save more than $40 billion a year by building a nationally connected high-voltage transmission network.
200000 Additional transmission could have kept the lights on in 200,000 Texas homes during Winter Storm Uri in February 2021.

It's not a partisan issue because everybody needs access to power, and transmission is essential for every energy source.

Rep. Scott Peters

(CA-50)

Vision Statement

Macro Grid Initiative

“Expanding and upgrading the nation’s transmission network will deliver jobs and economic development, a cleaner environment, and lower costs for consumers.”

Vision Statement Supporters

The vision of the Macro Grid Initiative is right on point by aligning transmission development with economic, environmental, and consumer outcomes.

Devin Hartman

Director of Energy and Environmental Policy, R Street Institute

Latest Reports

Unlocking the Grid: A Playbook on High Performance Conductors for State and Regional Regulators and Policymakers

Reports

High power electricity poles in urban area connected to smart grid. Energy supply, distribution of energy, transmitting energy, energy transmission, high voltage supply concept photo.

Unlocking Power: A Playbook on Grid Enhancing Technologies for State and Regional Regulators and Policymakers

Reports

Energy Assurance Depends on a Resilient Transmission Grid

Fact Sheets

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Transmission Resources

ACORE’s Macro Grid Initiative, coalition partners, ally groups, and academic and government institutions have developed groundbreaking resources highlighting the benefits of expanding and upgrading the nation’s transmission grid, as well as the regulatory challenges that are blocking progress to those upgrades. These resources, organized by topic, are listed below.