Siting of interstate electric transmission facilities

Section 216 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824p) is amended— (1)in subsection (a)— (A)in paragraph (1), by striking Secretary of Energy (referred to in this section as the Secretary) and inserting Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and (B)in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), by striking Secretary each place it appears and inserting Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; (2)by striking subsections (b) and (d) and inserting the following:

(b)

Self certification prior to construction or modification of electric transmission facilities

(1)

In general

Beginning on the date on which regulations are issued under paragraph (3), any person may construct or modify an electric transmission facility located in a national interest electric transmission corridor designated under subsection (a) if such person certifies the information described in paragraph (2). (2)

Information described

The information described in this paragraph is the following: (A)The exact legal name, title, mailing address, and principal place of business of the person who will construct or modify the electric transmission facility. (B)Whether the person who will construct or modify the electric transmission facility is an individual or corporation, and if the person is a corporation, the State under the laws of which such corporation is organized. (C)A concise description of any existing operations of the person who will construct or modify the electric transmission facility. (D)A concise description of the electric transmission facility to be constructed or modified, including the dates on which such construction or modification is expected to begin and be completed. (E)A table of contents that lists each document included in the certification. (3)

Regulations

Not later than 365 days after the date of enactment of the Grid Expansion and Reliability Act, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shall issue regulations to carry out this subsection. (c)

Annual audits and reports

(1)

Audits

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shall annually audit each certification made under subsection (b) to determine whether the certification included the information required by paragraph (2) of such subsection. (2)

Reports

Not later than 365 days after the date of enactment of the Grid Expansion and Reliability Act, and annually thereafter, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shall submit to Congress a report describing— (A)the efficacy of the certification process under subsection (b) for authorizing the construction and modification of electric transmission facilities; (B)any issues that result from such process; and (C)recommendations for how to improve such process through additional legislation or regulation, if needed.

;

(3)in subsection (e)(1)— (A)by striking a permit under subsection (b) for electric transmission facilities to be located and inserting a person authorized pursuant to subsection (b) to construct or modify an electric transmission facility; (B)by striking the permit holder each place it appears and inserting such person; and (C) by striking and, in the determination of the Commission, the permit holder has made good faith efforts to engage with landowners and other stakeholders early in the applicable permitting process and inserting permitting process; (4)in subsection (h)— (A)by striking Secretary each place it appears and inserting Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; (B)in paragraph (2), by striking Department of Energy and inserting Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and (C)in paragraph (9)— (i)by striking subparagraph (A); and (ii)by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively; and (5)in subsection (i)— (A)in paragraph (2), by striking Secretary and inserting Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and (B)in paragraph (4)— (i)by inserting Federal Energy Regulatory before Commission; (ii)by striking Secretary and inserting Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and (iii)by striking in disagreement and all that follows through subsection (a). and inserting the following: in disagreement about the siting of transmission facilities within any State that is a party to the compact..