A Democratic bill with 15 Democratic cosponsors · See all 15 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Connect the Grid Act aims to interconnect the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) with its neighboring regions. It amends the Federal Power Act to change how certain entities are regulated and repeals specific ERCOT exemptions. The bill mandates the creation of reliability standards for total transfer capability between ERCOT and other organizations like SPP, MISO, and the Western Interconnection. It also requires plans for new or modified transmission facilities to be completed by January 1, 2037. Additionally, the bill increases borrowing authority for the Transmission Facilitation Program and orders a study on interconnection benefits with Mexico.
Yes· 3 of 13
- Scored +7
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?
Directly mandates priority for renewable energy in transmission siting plans.
- Scored +6
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
The bill prioritizes expansion of renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and geothermal.
- Scored +5
Is this likely to create jobs?
The bill prioritizes registered apprenticeship programs and transmission infrastructure projects which can drive job growth.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Grid Reliability and Connectivity: The bill establishes minimum total transfer capability requirements between ERCOT and neighboring areas like SPP, MISO, and the Western Interconnection to ensure more reliable power movement (Section 3(b)(1)).
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Support for Renewable Energy: Transmission plans are required to prioritize expanding access to renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal (Section 3(b)(2)(B)(iv)).
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Community Inclusion and Outreach: The bill mandates meaningful community involvement, specifically requiring outreach to environmental justice communities, Tribal and Indigenous communities, Tribal Governments, and labor organizations (Section 3(b)(2)(B)(v)).
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Economic and Job Opportunities: The act prioritizes the use of registered apprenticeship programs and prevailing wages for transmission projects (Section 3(b)(2)(B)(vi)).
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Environmental Stewardship: The bill encourages the use of grid-enhancing technologies and the use of existing rights-of-way or degraded lands like brownfields and abandoned mines (Section 3(b)(2)(B)(i-iii)).
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Increased Funding for Infrastructure: The bill increases the borrowing authority under the Transmission Facilitation Program from $2.5 billion to $13.5 billion (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Regulatory Burdens for Affected Entities: The bill amends the Federal Power Act to change jurisdictions and repeals certain ERCOT exemptions, which will require entities to attend a technical conference to assist with compliance (Section 2).
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Environmental Review Requirements: Any projects intended to comply with the new reliability standards must undergo reviews required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Section 3(b)(2)(4)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — Directly mandates priority for renewable energy in transmission siting plans. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill prioritizes expansion of renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and geothermal. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Mandates environmental reviews under NEPA and the Endangered Species Act for new projects. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — Improved grid interconnection helps mitigate the risk of widespread power outages during disasters.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — By improving grid reliability and interconnection, the bill supports long-term energy infrastructure and economic stability. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill prioritizes registered apprenticeship programs and transmission infrastructure projects which can drive job growth. Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The bill mandates outreach to labor organizations and requires the use of prevailing wages for new transmission projects. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Enhanced grid reliability helps protect consumers from potential energy shortages and instability.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Includes mandates for outreach to Tribal and Indigenous communities. Would union members be better off under this? — Promotes labor organization outreach and prevailing wage standards. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Outreach to environmental justice and low-income communities is prioritized.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Increases FERC jurisdiction and regulation over ERCOT entities.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill requires outreach to environmental justice communities to ensure inclusive planning.
- 4/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/5/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/26/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 13 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Joaquin CastroDemocrat · Texas
Jasmine CrockettDemocrat · Texas
Lloyd DoggettDemocrat · Texas
Adriano EspaillatDemocrat · New York
Veronica EscobarDemocrat · Texas
Maxwell FrostDemocrat · Florida
Al GreenDemocrat · Texas
Sylvia GarciaDemocrat · Texas
Robert GarciaDemocrat · California
Jared HuffmanDemocrat · California
Pramila JayapalDemocrat · Washington
Alexandria Ocasio-CortezDemocrat · New York
Ilhan OmarDemocrat · Minnesota
Delia RamirezDemocrat · Illinois
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan