Hickenlooper, Welch Introduce Bill to Help Communities Build Modern Energy Grid, Lower Costs

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Peter Welch recently introduced the Energizing Our Communities Act, which invests in communities that upgrade local energy transmission through Department of Energy (DOE)-supported projects. The program would build trust between local governments and transmission developers so we can increase energy transmission capacity, which is crucial to our clean energy transition.

U.S. Representative Sean Casten leads the House version of the bill.

"Cheaper energy needs more clean power - and a modern grid to move it," said Hickenlooper. "Local communities are ready to bring transmission lines into the 21st century. Let's put them in the driver's seat of our new energy future."

"Expanding transmission lines is key to achieving a clean energy future and ensuring the long-term welfare of communities in Vermont, New England, and across the country. But building a comprehensive and reliable transmission grid that connects communities to renewable energy won't happen overnight. That's why it's crucial to support community buy-in programs that work to increase transmission build-out at the ground level," said Welch. "The Energizing Our Communities Act works to strengthen the nation's transmission grid by fostering a healthy relationship between communities and developers. This will be critical to boosting clean power capacity nationwide so we can lower energy costs, increase resiliency from extreme weather events, and help meet rising clean energy demands."

Specifically, the bill invests revenue from certain DOE loan programs back into communities - including tribal governments - that host transmission infrastructure. This bill aims to support national transmission grid build-out by ensuring communities see the benefits of transmission at the ground level.

The Energizing Our Communities Act is endorsed by Grid Action; National Association of Counties (NACo); National League of Cities (NLC); Pathway Power; and Protect Our Winters (POW).

Full text of the bill is available HERE.

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