42 USC 18713 - Transmission facilitation program

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

§ 18713.

Transmission facilitation program

(a)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Capacity contract

(2)

Eligible electric power transmission line

The term “eligible electric power transmission line” means an electric power transmission line that is capable of transmitting not less than—

(A)

1,000 megawatts; or

(B)

in the case of a project that consists of upgrading an existing transmission line or constructing a new transmission line in an existing transmission, transportation, or telecommunications infrastructure corridor, 500 megawatts.

(3)

Eligible entity

(4)

Eligible project

The term “eligible project” means a project (including any related facility)—

(A)

to construct a new or replace an existing eligible electric power transmission line;

(B)

to increase the transmission capacity of an existing eligible electric power transmission line; or

(C)

to connect an isolated microgrid to an existing transmission, transportation, or telecommunications infrastructure corridor located in Alaska, Hawaii, or a territory of the United States.

(5)

Fund

(6)

Program

(7)

Related facility

(A)

In general

(B)

Exclusions

The term “related facility” does not include—

(i)

facilities used primarily to generate electric energy; or

(ii)

facilities used in the local distribution of electric energy.

(b)

Establishment

(c)

Applications

(1)

In general

(2)

Procedures

(d)

Funding

(1)

Transmission Facilitation Fund

There is established in the Treasury a fund, to be known as the “Transmission Facilitation Fund”, consisting of—

(A)

all amounts received by the Secretary, including receipts, collections, and recoveries, from any source relating to expenses incurred by the Secretary in carrying out the program, including—

(i)

costs recovered pursuant to paragraph (4);

(ii)

amounts received as repayment of a loan issued to an eligible entity under subsection (e)(1)(B); and

(iii)

amounts contributed by eligible entities for the purpose of carrying out an eligible project with respect to which the Secretary is participating with the eligible entity under subsection (e)(1)(C);

(B)

all amounts borrowed from the Secretary of the Treasury by the Secretary for the program under paragraph (2); and

(C)

any amounts appropriated to the Secretary for the program.

(2)

Borrowing authority

(3)

Authorization of appropriations

(4)

Cost recovery

(A)

In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the cost of any facilitation activities carried out by the Secretary under subsection (e)(1) shall be collected—

(i)

from eligible entities receiving the benefit of the applicable facilitation activity, on a schedule to be determined by the Secretary; or

(ii)

with respect to a contracted transmission capacity under subsection (e)(1)(A) through rates charged for the use of the contracted transmission capacity.

(B)

Forgiveness of balances

(i)

Termination or end of useful life

(ii)

Unconstructed projects

(C)

Recovery of costs of eligible projects

(e)

Facilitation of eligible projects

(1)

In general

To facilitate eligible projects, the Secretary may—

(A)

subject to subsections (f) and (i), enter into a capacity contract with respect to an eligible project prior to the date on which the eligible project is completed;

(B)

subject to subsections (g) and (i), issue a loan to an eligible entity for the costs of carrying out an eligible project; or

(C)

subject to subsections (h) and (i), participate with an eligible entity in designing, developing, constructing, operating, maintaining, or owning an eligible project.

(2)

Requirement

The provision and receipt of assistance for an eligible project under paragraph (1) shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate—

(A)

to ensure the success of the program; and

(B)

to protect the interests of the United States.

(f)

Capacity contracts

(1)

Purpose

(2)

Payment

The amount paid by the Secretary to an eligible entity under a capacity contract for the right to the use of the transmission capacity of an eligible project shall be—

(A)

the fair market value for the use of the transmission capacity, as determined by the Secretary, taking into account, as the Secretary determines to be necessary, the comparable value for the use of the transmission capacity of other electric power transmission lines; and

(B)

on a schedule and in such divided amounts, which may be a single amount, that the Secretary determines are likely to facilitate construction of the eligible project, taking into account standard industry practice and factors specific to each applicant, including, as applicable—

(i)

potential review by a State regulatory entity of the revenue requirement of an electric utility; and

(ii)

the financial model of an independent transmission developer.

(3)

Limitations

A capacity contract shall—

(A)

be for a term of not more than 40 years; and

(B)

be for not more than 50 percent of the total proposed transmission capacity of the applicable eligible project.

(4)

Transmission marketing

(A)

In general

(B)

Return

(C)

Competitive solicitation

(D)

Requirement

(5)

Termination

(A)

In general

(B)

Transfer

(C)

Relinquishment

(D)

Requirement

(6)

Other Federal capacity positions

(7)

Form of financial assistance

(8)

Transmission planning region consultation

(g)

Interest rate on loans

(h)

Public-private partnerships

The Secretary may participate with an eligible entity with respect to an eligible project under subsection (e)(1)(C) if the Secretary determines that the eligible project—

(1)

(A)

is located in an area designated as a national interest electric transmission corridor pursuant to section 216(a) of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 824p(a)]; or

(B)

is necessary to accommodate an actual or projected increase in demand for electric transmission capacity across more than 1 State or transmission planning region;

(2)

is consistent with efficient and reliable operation of the transmission grid;

(3)

will be operated in conformance with prudent utility practices;

(4)

will be operated in conformance with the rules of—

(A)

a Transmission Organization (as defined in section 3 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 796)), if applicable; or

(B)

a regional reliability organization; and

(5)

is not duplicative of the functions of existing transmission facilities that are the subject of ongoing siting and related permitting proceedings.

(i)

Certification

Prior to taking action to facilitate an eligible project under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of subsection (e)(1), the Secretary shall certify that—

(1)

the eligible project is in the public interest;

(2)

the eligible project is unlikely to be constructed in as timely a manner or with as much transmission capacity in the absence of facilitation under this section, including with respect to an eligible project for which a Federal investment tax credit may be allowed; and

(3)

it is reasonable to expect that the proceeds from the eligible project will be adequate, as applicable—

(A)

to recover the cost of a capacity contract entered into under subsection (e)(1)(A);

(B)

to repay a loan provided under subsection (e)(1)(B); or

(C)

to repay any amounts borrowed from the Secretary of the Treasury under subsection (d)(2).

(j)

Other authorities, limitations, and effects

(1)

Participation

(2)

Operations and maintenance

(3)

Federal facilities

For purposes of cost recovery under subsection (d)(4) and repayment of a loan issued under subsection (e)(1)(B), each eligible project facilitated by the Secretary under this section shall be treated as separate and distinct from—

(A)

each other eligible project; and

(B)

all other Federal power and transmission facilities.

(4)

Effect on ancillary services authority and obligations

(5)

Effect on Western Area Power Administration projects

Nothing in this section affects—

(A)

any pending project application before the Western Area Power Administration under

(B)

any agreement entered into by the Western Power Administration under that section.

(6)

Third-party finance

(7)

Limitation on loans

An eligible project may not be the subject of both—

(A)

a loan under subsection (e)(1)(B); and

(B)

a Federal loan under section 16421a of this title.

(8)

Considerations

In evaluating eligible projects for possible facilitation under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize projects that, to the maximum extent practicable—

(A)

use technology that enhances the capacity, efficiency, resiliency, or reliability of an electric power transmission system, including—

(i)

reconductoring of an existing electric power transmission line with advanced conductors; and

(ii)

hardware or software that enables dynamic line ratings, advanced power flow control, or grid topology optimization;

(B)

will improve the resiliency and reliability of an electric power transmission system;

(C)

facilitate interregional transfer capacity that supports strong and equitable economic growth; and

(D)

contribute to national or subnational goals to lower electricity sector greenhouse gas emissions.

(Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title I, § 40106, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 934.)

cite as: 42 USC 18713