Further complicating this challenge is the antiquated state of the nation’s electric grids, and especially its transmission lines, the heavy-duty infrastructure and wires that carry electricity over long distances. Today, power is traveling through infrastructure built for the economy of the 1970s. The problem isn’t just power demand, but that our outdated grids can’t deliver electricity efficiently where it’s needed most.
These issues are not unique to any region or corner of the country, as energy use is skyrocketing from Maine to Virginia to Ohio to Nevada. Federal government action is important, especially in coordinating grid planning and management within and between regions, but states must take the lead in ensuring they can reliably and affordably power their economies.
So what can states do to address those challenges? First, they should work to improve the transmission infrastructure they’ve already got.
Existing technology can make the electric grid we’ve already built smarter and more efficient. Grid-enhancing technologies, for example, are a low-cost solution that helps the grid better optimize when and where to send power, which can be extremely valuable during severe weather events. Another option is to replace old lines with more efficient conductors that can move more power, a process known as reconductoring.
Together, these proven and pragmatic technology solutions could double the capacity of existing transmission lines, mitigating the high cost and long wait times to build new infrastructure. States should require utilities and grid operators to regularly assess opportunities to adopt these modern technologies. At the same time, states should also reduce any policy barriers that would slow down their implementation.
But just modernizing existing infrastructure is unlikely to be enough. To deliver affordable, reliable power at the scale that state economies require, policymakers must also make it easier to build new lines.
For example, they could pass legislation like Minnesota recently adopted, and that Illinois is considering, to allow transmission lines to be built along existing rights of way, such as highways or railroads. Officials could also find ways to responsibly streamline the transmission permitting process, which can stretch for years under existing processes. And they should work to identify high-priority areas where energy resources are ample but transmission is lacking. Imagine, for example, an area that is highly windy or sunny, ideally positioned for wind turbines or solar panels, but has no way to get that energy to the grid. It’s all too common.
As governors, their administrations and legislatures take on pressing cost-of-living issues, transmission lines may not be the first thing that leaps to mind. But a strong grid is at the heart of modern life. Businesses and residents need reliable and affordable electricity, and states need energy infrastructure to thrive in the 21st-century economy.
Mel Mackin leads the state policy team at Ceres, an advocacy organization working to accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy.
Governing’s opinion columns reflect the views of their authors and not necessarily those of Governing’s editors or management.
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