Idea of expanding federal role in siting lines, especially for renewables, is gaining ground

摘要

The idea of increasing the federal role in siting transmission lines may have developed significant enough substance in Washington that even if it does not get far any time soon, it could have a place in serious discussions for some time to come. Efforts at this point are driven by development of renewable power, which often is generated in remote locations and needs transmission to take it to load centers. As renewables grow as a strategy for lowering carbon emissions, some believe the transmission issue will take on new importance.