Sponsored by:
Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs

Institute for Policy Integrity at New York University School of Law

Prepared by:
Avi Zevin, Sam Walsh, Justin Gundlach, and Isabel Carey

Published:
December 2020

Decarbonizing the US economy at a reasonable cost will necessitate the construction of new, long-distance transmission lines. However, state-level regulatory requirements for the selection of transmission line routes and for the assembly of environmental, land use, public utility, and other permits and property rights have proved to be a barrier to broader power transmission. Retaining the current process for siting these transmission lines may stymie the development of renewable resources in critical locations across the United states where sunshine and wind are plentiful. To continue reading, download the report.

Line and angle artwork

Report Downloads

Building a New Grid Without New Legislation: A Path to Revitalizing Federal Transmission Authorities
Full Report (11 MB)