The Pennsylvania House on Monday unanimously passed a bill to require the state’s utilities to study the potential for advanced transmission technologies when they propose to upgrade existing transmission projects or build new ones.
Under the bill, H.B. 2233, the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission may order a utility or other transmission owner to include ATTs as part of an approved transmission project “to help fully or partially resolve the need identified in the application.”
The bill defines ATTs as high-performance conductors and grid-enhancing technologies, such as dynamic line ratings, advanced power flow controllers and topology optimization software.
It also covers any other technology identified by the PUC that may avoid “new transmission infrastructure, increase the capacity, efficiency or reliability of the transmission system, reduce transmission system congestion, reduce environmental impacts or provide other benefits to the transmission system.”
“By requiring a transparent evaluation of ATTs and giving the PUC greater authority to encourage their adoption, this bill protects ratepayers, fosters innovation, and ensures we build the grid of the future in the most efficient and responsible way possible,” the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D, said in a memo to fellow House members on the legislation.
Utilities that could be affected by the legislation include PPL Electric, PECO Energy and FirstEnergy Pennsylvania.
Advanced Energy United, a trade group for clean energy companies, supports the bill.
“Advanced transmission technologies are a no-regrets, near-term solution to Pennsylvania’s growing affordability and reliability challenges,” Chris D'Agostino, AEU Pennsylvania policy principal, said in a press release. “They can increase the amount of electricity that can flow across the grid, delivering power to homes and businesses when it’s needed most and helping reduce the risk of outages.”
The bill was sent to the Pennsylvania Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
About three weeks ago, the Colorado Legislature passed a similar advanced transmission technology bill.
Interest in grid-enhancing technologies appears to be growing, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center.
“Grid enhancing technologies … are primed for widespread adoption,” the group said in a Jan. 8 issue brief. “Led by more-sophisticated vendors, the technologies have matured in the past five years and are demonstrating their success in utility pilots.”
Last year, GETs bills were introduced in at least 18 states, with new laws signed in nine states as of July, BPC said, citing the Watt Coalition. The nine states are: Utah, Indiana, New Mexico, South Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Louisiana, Connecticut and Delaware.
