42 USC 18715a - Grants to facilitate the siting of interstate electricity transmission lines

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 26, 2024

§ 18715a.

Grants to facilitate the siting of interstate electricity transmission lines

(a)

Appropriation

(b)

Use of funds

(1)

In general

The Secretary may make a grant under this section to a siting authority for, with respect to a covered transmission project, any of the following activities:

(A)

Studies and analyses of the impacts of the covered transmission project.

(B)

Examination of up to 3 alternate siting corridors within which the covered transmission project feasibly could be sited.

(C)

Participation by the siting authority in regulatory proceedings or negotiations in another jurisdiction, or under the auspices of a Transmission Organization (as defined in section 796 of title 16) that is also considering the siting or permitting of the covered transmission project.

(D)

Participation by the siting authority in regulatory proceedings at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or a State regulatory commission for determining applicable rates and cost allocation for the covered transmission project.

(E)

Other measures and actions that may improve the chances of, and shorten the time required for, approval by the siting authority of the application relating to the siting or permitting of the covered transmission project, as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(2)

Economic development

(c)

Conditions

(1)

Final decision on application

(2)

Federal share

(3)

Economic development

The Secretary may only disburse grant funds for economic development activities under subsection (b)(2)—

(A)

to a siting authority upon approval by the siting authority of the applicable covered transmission project; and

(B)

to any other State, local, or Tribal governmental entity upon commencement of construction of the applicable covered transmission project in the area under the jurisdiction of the entity.

(d)

Returning funds

(e)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Covered transmission project

The term “covered transmission project” means a high-voltage interstate or offshore electricity transmission line—

(A)

that is proposed to be constructed and to operate—

(i)

at a minimum of 275 kilovolts of either alternating-current or direct-current electric energy by an entity; or

(ii)

offshore and at a minimum of 200 kilovolts of either alternating-current or direct-current electric energy by an entity; and

(B)

for which such entity has applied, or informed a siting authority of such entity’s intent to apply, for regulatory approval.

(2)

Siting authority

(Pub. L. 117–169, title V, § 50152, Aug. 16, 2022, 136 Stat. 2046.)

cite as: 42 USC 18715a