Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) led a group of House colleagues urging House Leadership to prioritize the inclusion of grid modernization provisions in Congress’ final infrastructure package to support the nation’s clean and efficient energy goals and spur economic growth. America’s energy grid lags far behind the grids of other industrialized nations. Funding for the Grid Deployment Authority as well as expediting and facilitating new transmission line planning and deployment will help bring the nation’s grid system into the 21^st century.  President Biden’s updated infrastructure deal is expected to include at least $73 billion for the electric grid and clean energy funding.

The United States’ energy grid is past its 50-year life expectancy, experiencing more blackouts than any other developed country. In addition, a patchwork of state and federal policies and varying authorities have left the U.S. ill-equipped to incorporate renewable energy sources into transmission line deployment at the necessary pace and scale.

The letter read in part, “The process of adding a transmission line can take up to a decade, whereas wind farms can be constructed in under a year. This mismatched time frame can inhibit the growth of the renewable energy industry. The offshore wind industry alone is projected to invest nearly $140 billion in the U.S. by 2035 and spur job creation across manufacturing, construction, and other industries. We cannot afford to risk this opportunity for large-scale climate change mitigation and immense regional and national economic growth.”

President Biden’s American Jobs Plan establishes the Grid Deployment Authority, which would oversee and facilitate the planning and deployment of sustainable transmission lines. Congresswoman Ross’ letter urges the authorization and funding of this entity and the prioritization of new, sustainable transmission line planning and deployment.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

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