S-465 : Still Just a Bill

S. 465, also known as the Guaranteeing Reliability through the Interconnection of Dispatchable Power Act or the GRID Power Act, seeks to improve the process by which new energy projects connect to the electric grid.

• Purpose: The bill mandates the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to reform the interconnection queue process. This reform aims to prioritize and expedite the approval of dispatchable power projects that enhance grid reliability and resource adequacy.
• Key Provisions:
  • Requires FERC to initiate a rulemaking within 90 days to address inefficiencies in processing interconnection requests.
  • Authorizes transmission providers to propose adjustments to their interconnection queues, giving priority to dispatchable power projects that improve grid reliability and resource adequacy.
  • Mandates transmission providers to demonstrate the need for prioritization, describe how it will improve grid reliability/resilience, engage in public comment, and report regularly to FERC on grid reliability and resilience.
  • Sets deadlines for FERC to review and approve or deny proposals within 60 days and to issue final regulations within 180 days.
  • Requires FERC to review and update the regulations at least every 5 years.

In short, the bill aims to streamline the approval process for dispatchable power projects to ensure a more reliable and resilient electric grid.