FERC Chief: Energy Bill Would Help With Power Grid Woes

U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chief Patrick Wood III told a House panel Thursday that several provisions in the energy bill pending in Congress could help alleviate problems with the nation’s power grid that are causing customers to pay more for electricity.

“Right now, our electricity transmission system is the weakest link in our electric supply system,” he said, noting that investment in the transmission grid is not keeping pace with growing demand for electricity. “The energy legislation currently pending before the Congress addresses certain impediments to investment in the short term, but more may be needed in the future.”

Construction of high-voltage transmission facilities is expected to increase by only 6% in line miles over the next decade, while electricity demand is projected to increase by 20%, he said.
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