Advanced Transmission Technology to Reduce Rates Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9335
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-24: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-06T17:41:24Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation directs the Secretary of Energy to create resources promoting advanced transmission technology to improve electricity transmission efficiency and reduce wildfire risks from the power grid. The short title is the "Advanced Transmission Technology to Reduce Rates Act."
Key Provisions
- Clearinghouse Establishment: Within one year, the Secretary must create and maintain a public clearinghouse listing Department-funded projects on advanced transmission technology, available financial assistance, and analyses of effects on grid capacity, congestion reduction, infrastructure use, automation, costs/benefits to utilities and ratepayers, and geographic/weather factors.
- Technical Assistance: The Secretary may assist electric utilities in using the clearinghouse and accessing funding; transmission organizations in planning practices; and state regulatory authorities in developing regulatory frameworks and cost-benefit analyses.
- State Energy Plans: Amends existing law to allow state conservation plans to include programs facilitating advanced transmission technology deployment.
- NEPA Exemption: Funding actions (loans or grants) for advanced transmission technology deployment are exempt from review as major federal actions under the National Environmental Policy Act.
- Wildfire Best Practices: Within one year, the Secretary must develop (in consultation with utilities and organizations) non-mandatory best practices for vegetation management, engineering, and operations to reduce wildfire ignition risks from the bulk-power system.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new subsection to Section 1223 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 creating the clearinghouse and assistance mechanisms.
- Updates Section 362(d) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to incorporate advanced transmission programs into state plans.
- Introduces a categorical exemption from NEPA for specific Department funding actions related to this technology.
- Creates a new requirement for wildfire mitigation guidelines without altering core regulatory authorities.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases responsibilities for the Department of Energy, including data compilation, analysis, and consultation; may streamline funding processes by reducing environmental reviews.
- Citizens: Could lead to improved grid reliability and lower electricity rates through better technology deployment, though benefits depend on voluntary adoption.
- No Direct International Effects: The bill focuses solely on domestic energy infrastructure.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Electric utilities (access to assistance and best practices).
- Transmission organizations (planning support).
- State regulatory authorities (framework development tools).
- The Department of Energy (implementation lead).
- Ratepayers and the public (potential efficiency and cost benefits).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The NEPA exemption limits environmental review for certain funding decisions, potentially accelerating projects but raising questions about oversight.
- Savings clauses explicitly state that the Secretary and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission lack authority to mandate technology use or best practices, preserving voluntary participation.
- No new regulatory mandates are created, maintaining existing federal-state balances in energy policy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-24: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 2026-06-24: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-06-18: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
- 2026-06-18: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-06-18: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-18: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Advanced Transmission Technology to Reduce Rates Act — issued 2026-06-18 — PDF (7 pages)