119th Congress (2025-2026)

HR 8248

Grid Expansion and Reliability Act

Introduced

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Official source

Chamber

House

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Bill overview

The Grid Expansion and Reliability Act amends the Federal Power Act to streamline the process for constructing and modifying electric transmission facilities within designated ‘national interest electric transmission corridors.’ It allows developers to self-certify certain information to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) instead of going through the traditional permitting process. The bill also requires FERC to annually audit these certifications and submit reports to Congress on the process’s effectiveness and potential improvements.

Key provisions

Allows self-certification of transmission facility construction/modification in designated corridors.
Requires developers to provide specific information to FERC during self-certification.
Directs FERC to issue regulations within 365 days of enactment to implement the self-certification process.
Mandates annual audits of self-certifications by FERC.
Requires FERC to submit reports to Congress on the certification process and potential improvements.
Modifies the Federal Power Act to reference the FERC instead of the Secretary of Energy in several sections.
Updates permitting requirements to focus on the person authorized by self-certification rather than the permit holder.
Requires good faith engagement with landowners and stakeholders early in the permitting process.

Who is affected

Electric transmission companies
Landowners near proposed transmission lines
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Positions across the country

No public positions recorded for this legislation.

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Arguments opposed

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Legislative history

2026-04-13House

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

2026-04-13

Introduced in House

2026-04-13

Introduced in House

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Apr 13, 2026XMLView source

119th CONGRESS — 2d Session

H. R. 8248

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

A BILL

To amend the Federal Power Act to allow a person to construct or modify an electric transmission facility in a national interest electric transmission corridor if the person self-certifies certain information to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and for other purposes.

1.Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Grid Expansion and Reliability Act

2.Siting of interstate electric transmission facilities

Section 216 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824p) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

in paragraph (1), by striking Secretary of Energy (referred to in this section as the Secretary) and inserting Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and

(B)

in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), by striking Secretary each place it appears and inserting Federal Energy Regulatory Commission;

(2)

by striking subsections (b) and (d) and inserting the following:

(b)Self certification prior to construction or modification of electric transmission facilities

(1)In generalBeginning on the date on which regulations are issued under paragraph (3), any person may construct or modify an electric transmission facility located in a national interest electric transmission corridor designated under subsection (a) if such person certifies the information described in paragraph (2).

(2)Information described

The information described in this paragraph is the following:

(A)The exact legal name, title, mailing address, and principal place of business of the person who will construct or modify the electric transmission facility.

(B)Whether the person who will construct or modify the electric transmission facility is an individual or corporation, and if the person is a corporation, the State under the laws of which such corporation is organized.

(C)A concise description of any existing operations of the person who will construct or modify the electric transmission facility.

(D)A concise description of the electric transmission facility to be constructed or modified, including the dates on which such construction or modification is expected to begin and be completed.

(E)

A table of contents that lists each document included in the certification.

(3)RegulationsNot later than 365 days after the date of enactment of the

Grid Expansion and Reliability Act

, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shall issue regulations to carry out this subsection.

(c)Annual audits and reports

(1)AuditsThe Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shall annually audit each certification made under subsection (b) to determine whether the certification included the information required by paragraph (2) of such subsection.

(2)ReportsNot later than 365 days after the date of enactment of the

Grid Expansion and Reliability Act

, and annually thereafter, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shall submit to Congress a report describing—

(A)

the efficacy of the certification process under subsection (b) for authorizing the construction and modification of electric transmission facilities;

(B)

any issues that result from such process; and

(C)

recommendations for how to improve such process through additional legislation or regulation, if needed.

;

(3)

in subsection (e)(1)—

(A)

by striking a permit under subsection (b) for electric transmission facilities to be located and inserting a person authorized pursuant to subsection (b) to construct or modify an electric transmission facility;

(B)

by striking the permit holder each place it appears and inserting such person; and

(C)

by striking and, in the determination of the Commission, the permit holder has made good faith efforts to engage with landowners and other stakeholders early in the applicable permitting process and inserting permitting process;

(4)

in subsection (h)—

(A)

by striking Secretary each place it appears and inserting Federal Energy Regulatory Commission;

(B)

in paragraph (2), by striking Department of Energy and inserting Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and

(C)

in paragraph (9)—

(i)

by striking subparagraph (A); and

(ii)

by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively; and

(5)

in subsection (i)—

(A)

in paragraph (2), by striking Secretary and inserting Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and

(B)

in paragraph (4)—

(i)

by inserting Federal Energy Regulatory before Commission;

(ii)by striking Secretary and inserting Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and

(iii)

by striking in disagreement and all that follows through subsection (a). and inserting the following: in disagreement about the siting of transmission facilities within any State that is a party to the compact..

HR 8248

Bill overview

Key provisions

Who is affected

Sponsors

Primary sponsor

Cosponsor

Positions across the country

Arguments in favor

Arguments opposed

Bill text

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Positions across the country