25 Feb
February 25, 2026 (Washington, D.C.) — Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission submitted its interregional transmission recommendations to Congress, as required under the Fiscal Responsibility Act. In response, Christina Hayes, Executive Director of Americans for a Clean Energy Grid, issued the following statement:
“Two years ago, NERC submitted a study identifying the need for approximately 35,000 megawatts of additional interregional transfer capability to reduce projected energy deficiencies and strengthen reliability. FERC’s staff report to Congress today stops short of translating those findings into meaningful statutory recommendations — despite mounting reliability pressures and accelerating electricity demand since the study was completed.
“The United States built just 888 miles of high-voltage transmission in 2024. By comparison, a Department of Energy analysis from the same year estimated that 5,000 miles per year will be needed to keep pace with demand growth. Failing to act decisively on transmission undermines grid reliability and America’s economic competitiveness. As Congress considers siting and permitting reform, it must act quickly and ensure that strong transmission provisions are included so that critical projects can move more quickly from planning to construction.”
