Contact: Louisa Tavlas
Email: ltavlas@niskanencenter.org
Washington, D.C., November 6, 2021 –The Niskanen Center applauds Congress for passing the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) that includes the most significant transmission policy provisions for expanding electricity infrastructure in over a decade.
The IIJA expands the authority of the Department of Energy and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to site and finance transmission lines that are needed to support generation integration, address economic imbalances in electricity supply, and provide energy security. Our research indicates that an expanded federal siting authority for specific regional and national lines included in the IIJA is critical to providing broader access to low-cost clean energy and increasing grid resilience in the face of extreme weather.
“Transmission is necessary infrastructure for fast and fair decarbonization,” says Dr. Liza Reed, Niskanen Center’s low carbon technology policy expert. “We need to turn this moment of bipartisan action into momentum to clean the grid.”
“Any expansion of federal authority to take private land should include protections for landowners,” added David Bookbinder, Niskanen’s chief counsel. “While such provisions are not specified in the IIJA, the expanded siting authority is an important step towards achieving a clean energy grid. We will continue to advocate for changes at FERC and future legislation to protect landowners.”
The Niskanen Center remains committed to supporting bipartisan legislation that promotes transmission policy investments and the changes necessary to decarbonize and strengthen our electricity system.
The Niskanen Center is a 501(c)(3) advocacy organization established in 2014 to change public policy through direct engagement in the policymaking process.
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