NCSL report, Electric Transmission Planning: A Primer for State Legislatures

State policymakers can play a vital role in ensuring the necessary policies are in place to enable the
reliable operation of the electric grid now and in the future. While transmission projects are mostly
proposed and procured by utilities, state policymakers establish the policies and regulations that
affect these projects. State legislatures may enact laws with specific processes and guidelines that
transmission developers must follow. These laws are typically enforced by state agencies, such as public utility commissions (PUCs). Regulations can also be set at the local, regional or federal level. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and regional transmission organizations (RTOs) establish rules for transmission planners to follow, and many local governments have specific land use and zoning ordinances that transmission developers must comply with.

This paper provides an overview of transmission challenges, planning processes and actors involved, with the goal of enabling state legislators to better understand the current landscape and the options for progress.