Rail and Highway Transmission Planning Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7405
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-05: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-26T18:31:24Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation directs the Secretary of Energy to study the use of highway and rail rights-of-way for building high-voltage transmission lines. Its goals include speeding up transmission development, easing energy capacity limits, and supporting more affordable and reliable electricity.
Key Provisions
- The bill requires the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and relevant National Laboratories, to evaluate benefits and challenges of placing high-voltage transmission on covered rights-of-way.
- The study must review past projects, identify best practices for planning and permitting, generate data on technical feasibility, and pinpoint suitable locations based on regional energy needs.
- It examines various transmission types (such as alternating current, direct current, overhead, and underground), costs versus benefits compared to non-right-of-way sites, potential funding sources, and effects on grid reliability and energy costs.
- The study also assesses environmental impacts, effects on railroad and highway operations, and safety concerns like electromagnetic interference.
- An interagency action plan and resources for agencies and stakeholders must be developed, with input from utilities and railroad carriers.
- Results must be published on a rolling basis on a Department of Energy website, with a full report to Congress due within three years, including machine-readable data.
Significant Changes to Existing Law This bill introduces a new federal study requirement but does not amend or repeal any existing statutes. It adds coordination duties among agencies and creates specific reporting obligations for transmission planning on transportation corridors.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies would face new interagency collaboration and resource development duties, potentially leading to streamlined permitting processes.
- Citizens and energy consumers could see benefits from increased transmission capacity and lower costs, though nearby communities might experience construction-related effects.
- No direct effects on international relations are outlined.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal agencies including the Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
- State and local governments, utilities, railroad carriers, and property owners near rights-of-way.
- Energy consumers and communities adjacent to highways or rail lines.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill emphasizes property rights and permitting challenges in transmission development. It raises considerations around environmental reviews and operational safety on shared infrastructure but contains no apparent constitutional issues. Politically, it promotes co-location of energy projects on existing public corridors to address grid constraints.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-05: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-02-05: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-05: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Rail and Highway Transmission Planning Act — issued 2026-02-05 — PDF (8 pages)