S 4027 — SPEED and Reliability Act of 2024

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html March 21, 2024

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends the Federal Power Act to establish a new category of transmission facilities called 'national interest high-impact transmission facilities' and outlines a streamlined permitting process for their construction and modification.

• 16 U.S.C. 824p

  (l) Siting of National Interest High-Impact Transmission Facilities.--

  Introduces a new subsection (l) for siting national interest high-impact transmission facilities.

• 16 U.S.C. 824p

  (1) Definitions.--In this subsection: (A) Bulk-power system.--The term `bulk-power system' has the meaning given the term in section 215(a). (B) Local authority.--The term `local authority' means a unit of local government, including a county, a municipality, a city, a town, a township, and any other political subdivision created by or pursuant to State law. (C) National interest high-impact transmission facility.--The term `national interest high-impact transmission facility' means a transmission facility designated as a national interest high-impact transmission facility under paragraph (2). (D) Outer continental shelf.--The term `outer Continental Shelf' has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331). (E) Project sponsor.--The term `project sponsor' means an entity seeking to construct, own, or operate a national interest high-impact transmission facility. (F) Project state.--The term `project State' means a State in which there is located or is proposed to be located any portion of a transmission facility designated or sought to be designated as a national interest high-impact transmission facility. (G) Reliability standard.--The term `reliability standard' has the meaning given the term in section 215(a).

  Defines key terms related to national interest high-impact transmission facilities.

• 16 U.S.C. 824p

  (2) Designation of national interest high-impact transmission facilities.-- (A) In general.--A project sponsor or project State may submit to the Secretary an application to designate a transmission facility as a national interest high-impact transmission facility for purposes of paragraph (3).

  Establishes a process for designating certain transmission facilities as national interest high-impact transmission facilities.

• 16 U.S.C. 824p

  (3) Construction permits for national interest high-impact transmission facilities.-- (A) Permit applications.-- (i) In general.--A project sponsor, or a project State on behalf of a project sponsor, may submit to the Commission an application for a permit to construct or modify a national interest high-impact transmission facility.

  Introduces a permitting process specific to national interest high-impact transmission facilities.

• 16 U.S.C. 824p

  (D) Applicability of the national environmental policy act of 1969.--The designation of a transmission facility as a national interest high-impact transmission facility under this paragraph shall not be considered a major Federal action under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)).

  Exempts the designation of national interest high-impact transmission facilities from being classified as major Federal actions under NEPA.

• 42 U.S.C. 18715(b)

  facilities designated by the Secretary to be necessary in the national interest under section 216(a) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824p(a)). → facilities-- (1) located in an area designated as a national interest electric transmission corridor pursuant to subsection (a) of section 216 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824p); or (2) designated by the Secretary as national interest high-impact transmission facilities under subsection (l)(2) of that section.

  Expands the types of facilities eligible for funding to include national interest high-impact transmission facilities.

Action History

1. March 21, 2024

   Introduced in Senate

2. March 21, 2024

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sponsors

• John W. Hickenlooper · Primary

Subjects