Integrated Local, Regional, and Interregional Transmission Planning Act of 2026
Requires neighboring transmission-planning regions to coordinate projects and share costs according to customer benefits.
In the House Energy and Commerce Committee since Sept. 24, 2026, 14 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 24, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- SENATESENATE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Planning transmission lines across areas can be difficult when local and regional needs are considered separately. The bill would require neighboring transmission-planning regions to coordinate plans for local, regional, and interregional projects. It would also set rules for choosing projects, sharing costs according to benefits, and resolving disputes.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Require joint planning across transmission regions
FERC would have to create rules that bring local, regional, and interregional transmission planning together. The rules would require neighboring planning regions to prepare joint plans and consider near-term, medium-term, and long-term needs, including scenarios 20 years or more into the future.
- Set rules for choosing transmission projects
Joint plans would need a shared method for selecting transmission projects, weighing benefits against costs, and identifying the best transfer capability between neighboring regions. Selection criteria would include reliability, resource adequacy, resilience, consumer benefits, and the public interest.
- Tie project costs to customer benefits
FERC would set cost-allocation principles for projects in joint plans. Customers with no reasonably identifiable benefit could not be required to pay for a project, and costs would have to be allocated in a manner commensurate with benefits.
- Require utilities to report replacement plans
Transmission utilities and owners of covered local transmission facilities would have to give their planning region an estimate of facilities they expect to replace in kind during the next 10 years. Joint plans would identify local, regional, and interregional facilities in each region's service territory.
- Set review and dispute procedures
FERC would review joint plans and could direct a resolution when neighboring regions dispute a material part of a plan. If a region fails to submit a plan, FERC could grant a one-time extension, set a firm submission date with possible civil penalties, or require the region to follow a FERC-approved plan.
The bill's stated purpose is to improve the electric grid through better coordination of transmission planning, with attention to reliability, affordability, and resilience. Its approach would connect planning decisions across neighboring regions and account for local facilities that might also provide wider transmission benefits.
The practical stakes include which projects are selected, how costs are shared among customers, and how disputes between regions are settled. The bill would also treat certain projects selected through approved joint plans as meeting specified requirements for a construction permit.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 24, 2026HOUSESEP 24, 2026By Rep. Casten with 4 original cosponsorsReferred to Energy and Commerce
- SAME DAYNOWHouse committeeSEP 24, 2026ENERGY & COMMERCE NOWSEP 24, 2026In committee for 14 daysNo hearing yet
- 14 DAYS SO FARPassed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Senate committee—SENATE—
- Passed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026REFERREDHOUSEReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026INTRODUCEDHOUSEIntroduced in House
At day 14, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
A coalition from 4 states
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Rep. Casten’s record: sponsored 50 bills this Congress. 1 passed the House; 0 became law.
- Kathy CastorD-FL-14ORIGINAL
- George LatimerD-NY-16ORIGINAL
- Mike LevinD-CA-49ORIGINAL
- Jim McGovernD-MA-2ORIGINAL
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Discussion
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