The House has just passed a bill that could fast track dispatchable power generation across the country.
The GRID Power Act sets a path for projects to jump ahead in the interconnection queue if they can prove that they provide increased grid reliability. If signed into law, the bill would give FERC 60 days to review project proposals.
All across the country, grid interconnection queues are struggling, possibly the most infamous being PJM. At the close of 2023, PJM had 225 GW of proposed generation waiting for approval, more than the grid’s entire peak demand of 165 GW. However, only 10 GW made it into service between January 2022 and September 2024.
Reform across the U.S. is certainly needed if we plan to get needed megawatts on the grid in time.
Over half of the North American continent is at risk of blackouts within the next decade as data centers and electrification continue to drive demand. Yet, infrastructure is struggling to keep pace.
Without change, states could face bottlenecks, jeopardizing the very projects meant to revitalize their economies.
