- The US Department of Energy has announced a $1.5 billion investment in four transmission projects to enhance electric grid reliability and provide millions of Americans access to affordable energy.
- Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the projects will add nearly 1,000 miles of new transmission lines and create approximately 9,000 jobs across multiple states.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced a significant $1.5 billion investment on Thursday to enhance the reliability of the nation’s electric grid. This funding will support four key transmission projects, bolstering grid resilience, alleviating costly transmission congestion, and providing millions of Americans with affordable energy.
US Deputy Secretary of Energy David Turk highlighted the critical role of the US transmission network, stating, “The US transmission network is the backbone of our nation’s electricity system. Although our grid has served US energy needs for over a century, our country’s needs are changing.” This investment is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which seeks to modernise the country’s infrastructure while addressing pressing energy challenges.
The four projects funded by this initiative will collectively facilitate nearly 1,000 miles of new electric transmission development, adding 7,100 megawatts of new capacity across several states, including Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The DOE also emphasised that this investment is expected to generate approximately 9,000 good-paying jobs, supporting local economies and promoting workforce development.
Among the key projects included in the announcement are the Aroostook Renewable Project in Maine, the Cimarron Link in Oklahoma, and the Southern Spirit project, which will connect the Texas grid for the first time to southeastern US power markets. Additionally, the Southline project in New Mexico is set to enhance connectivity and increase access to energy resources.
In conjunction with this announcement, the Energy Department released its National Transmission Planning study, a long-term planning tool designed to guide future investments and developments in the transmission network. This study aims to identify opportunities for modernisation and improvements to ensure that the grid can meet the nation’s evolving energy demands.
The investment and associated projects underscore the administration’s commitment to transforming the energy landscape in the US, making it more reliable, efficient, and sustainable. As the country navigates to cleaner energy sources, enhancing transmission capacity and reliability will be crucial for supporting economic growth and environmental goals. Through this initiative, the DOE aims to prepare the electric grid for the future while creating jobs and driving investment in local communities.