George Whitesides (D-CA)
Lowering Energy Costs through Grid Modernization Act
A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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
This bill, known as the "Lowering Energy Costs through Grid Modernization Act," aims to speed up the modernization of the national electric grid by supporting advanced conductors and related systems. It allows transmission providers to conduct studies to evaluate the economic and reliability benefits of right-of-way optimization or reconductoring projects. The legislation establishes specific technical definitions for advanced conductors and provides for the publication of aggregated performance data and project listings. It also streamlines the environmental review process by treating certain covered projects as categorical exclusions under NEPA. Additionally, the bill amends the tax code to include "high-performance transmission property" in various clean electricity investment credits.
Yes· 3 of 19
- Scored +3
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?
The bill provides significant tax credits to encourage investments in high-performance transmission infrastructure.
- Scored +2
Would business owners be better off under this?
Reliable energy infrastructure is critical for business operations and industrial growth.
- Scored +2
Is this likely to create jobs?
The expansion of tax credits for high-performance transmission property may stimulate jobs in the energy and construction sectors.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill streamlines environmental reviews through categorical exclusions, which may reduce scrutiny of certain energy projects.
- Scored -1
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
Streamlining environmental reviews may reduce the opportunities for public comment and due process in project approvals.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Grid Reliability and Economic Benefits: Transmission providers may conduct studies to evaluate how optimization or reconductoring projects can address congestion, capacity constraints, and reliability risks (Section 3(a)).
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Increased Resilience: Studies are required to consider risks from natural hazards and extreme weather, such as wildfires, heat, storms, or icing (Section 3(b)(2)).
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Streamlined Project Approvals: Certain covered projects may be deemed a categorical exclusion under NEPA, which can expedite the issuance of Federal permits or approvals (Section 5(a)).
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Financial Incentives for Modernization: The bill adds "high-performance transmission property" to the clean electricity investment credit, offering a base rate of 6 percent or an alternative rate of 30 percent for certain properties (Section 6(b)).
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Increased Support for Specific Communities: Tax credits for high-performance transmission property can be increased in energy communities and in cases involving domestic content (Section 6(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Environmental Review Exceptions: The bill allows for the possibility of widening an existing right-of-way to meet electrical standards, which may extend into areas beyond previously developed lands (Section 5(b)(3)).
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Environmental Review Changes: Federal permits or approvals for covered projects may be deemed a categorical exclusion under NEPA unless extraordinary circumstances are determined by the Secretary or a relevant agency head (Section 5(a)).
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Reliable energy infrastructure is critical for business operations and industrial growth. Would farmers be better off under this? — Improved electrical capacity can benefit rural agricultural operations. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — A more efficient and reliable grid can help mitigate long-term energy price volatility. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Improved grid efficiency and reliability can contribute to more stable utility costs. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Modernization can improve energy access and reliability in remote areas. Would union members be better off under this? — Increased infrastructure investment may lead to more job opportunities in skilled trades. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Urban areas benefit from more reliable energy transmission and reduced congestion risks.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Infrastructure modernization is expected to support long-term economic productivity through a more reliable energy grid. Is this likely to create jobs? — The expansion of tax credits for high-performance transmission property may stimulate jobs in the energy and construction sectors. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Improved grid reliability can protect consumers from large-scale outages and extreme weather risks. Is this likely to slow the rise in prices? — By modernizing the grid and addressing congestion, the bill aims to stabilize energy costs and improve supply efficiency.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill provides significant tax credits to encourage investments in high-performance transmission infrastructure. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — By supporting high-performance transmission property, the bill facilitates the integration of cleaner energy sources into the grid. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill's focus on grid resilience directly helps mitigate the impact of extreme weather events on energy infrastructure. Does this invest in rural communities? — Grid modernization can improve energy reliability and capacity for rural areas facing congestion. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill streamlines environmental reviews through categorical exclusions, which may reduce scrutiny of certain energy projects.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires transmission providers to make modernization study results publicly available. Does this make it easier to do business across state lines? — Upgraded transmission lines facilitate more efficient interstate energy trade and movement. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal oversight and streamlines federal permitting processes through categorical exclusions. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Streamlining environmental reviews may reduce the opportunities for public comment and due process in project approvals.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — Grid modernization can improve the overall resilience and security of national infrastructure.
- 7/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/23/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Sean CastenDemocrat · Illinois
Abraham HamadehRepublican · Arizona
Pat HarriganRepublican · North Carolina