,,ii #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cidg ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,february #bf1 #bjbf,mr4 ,mc,cormick 7for himself and ,mr4 ,welch7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,federal ,power ,act to establish a categorical exclusion for reconductoring within existing rights-of-way1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,reconductoring ,existing ,wires for ,infrastructure ,reliability and ,expansion ,act or the ,,rewire ,act4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,advanced transmission conductor ,the term advanced transmission conductor means a conductor1 including a carbon fiber conductor1 a composite core conductor1 a superconductor1 and any other conductor1 that-- 7,a7 has a direct current electrical resistance at least #aj percent lower than a traditional ,,acsr conductor of a similar diameter and weight2 7,b7 has a potential energy carrying capacity at least #gj percent greater than a traditional ,,acsr conductor of a similar diameter and weight2 and 7,c7 has a coefficient of thermal expansion at least #ej percent lower than a traditional ,,acsr conductor of a similar diameter and weight4 7#b7 ,,ascr conductor ,the term ,,ascr conductor means an aluminum conductor steel-reinforced cable4 7#c7 ,bulk-power system ,the term bulk-power system has the meaning given the term in section #bae7;a7 of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hbdo7a774 7#d7 ,commission ,the term ,commission means the ,federal ,energy ,regulatory ,commission4 7#e7 ,effective load carrying capability2 ,,elcc 7,a7 ,in general ,the term effective load carrying capability or ,,elcc means the ability of a generating resource to produce electricity when the grid needs it1 measured as the additional load 7or perfect replacement capacity7 that the system can supply with a particular generator of interest with no net change in reliability4 7,b7 ,clarification ,the additional load 7or perfect replacement capacity7 referred to in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 may be measured using ,,lole1 ,,eue1 or other metrics2 and 7ii7 may be divided by the nameplate capacity of the generating resource to yield a percentage4 7#f7 ,electric ,reliability ,organization ,the term ,electric ,reliability ,organization has the meaning given the term in section #bae7;a7 of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hbdo7a774 7#g7 ,electric utility ,the term electric utility has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #gif74 7#h7 ,expected unserved energy2 ,,eue ,the term expected unserved energy or ,,eue means the cumulative amount of energy 7in megawatt-hours7 per year that is not provided to customers due to outages4 7#i7 ,grid-enhancing technology ,the term grid-enhancing technology means any hardware or software that-- 7,a7 increases the capacity1 efficiency1 reliability1 resilience1 or safety of transmission facilities and transmission technologies2 and 7,b7 is installed in addition to transmission facilities and transmission technologies-- 7i7 to give operators of the transmission facilities and transmission technologies more situational awareness and control over the electric grid2 7ii7 to make the transmission facilities and transmission technologies more efficient2 or 7iii7 to increase the transfer capacity of the transmission facilities and transmission technologies4 7#aj7 ,independent ,system ,operator ,the term ,independent ,system ,operator has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #gif74 7#aa7 ,integrated resource planning ,the term integrated resource planning means modeling and evaluating how projected long-term electricity demands 7such as electricity demands over periods of #e1 #aj1 #bj1 or more years7 within a service area can be met with a combination of electric generation resources that best achieve desired metrics1 such as metrics relating to reliability1 resilience1 and cost4 7#ab7 ,loss of load expectation2 ,,lole 7,a7 ,in general ,the term loss of load expectation or ,,lole means the expected number of days per year that the available generation capacity is less than the system load for the applicable power grid region or service area4 7,b7 ,clarification ,as of ,november #bjbc1 a commonly acceptable value for loss of load expectation is #j4a days per year1 as described in the standard of the ,north ,american ,electric ,reliability ,corporation entitled ,planning ,resource ,adequacy ,analysis1 ,assessment and ,documentation and numbered ,,bal-#ejb-,,rf-#jc4 7#ac7 ,national ,laboratory ,the term ,national ,laboratory has the meaning given the term in section #b of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aehja74 7#ad7 ,planning reserve margin 7,a7 ,in general ,the term planning reserve margin means the quotient1 expressed as a percentage1 obtained by dividing-- 7i7 the difference between-- 7,i7 deliverable electric system supply capacity for a power grid region or service area2 and 7,,ii7 net demand in that power grid region or service area2 by 7ii7 net demand in that power grid region or service area4 7,b7 ,clarification ,as of ,november #bjbc1 a reserve margin falling within the range from #ae percent to #be percent is typical for a power grid region or service area4 7#ae7 ,power grid ,the term power grid means that portion of an ,interconnection 7as defined in section #bae7;a7 of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hbdo7a777 that is located within the ,united ,states1 including the relevant portion of each of the following3 7,a7 ,the ,eastern ,interconnection4 7,b7 ,the ,western ,interconnection4 7,c7 ,the ,texas ,interconnection4 7#af7 ,power grid region ,the term power grid region means a geographic area-- 7,a7 located within a power grid2 and 7,b7 for which a regional entity 7as defined in subsection 7a7 of section #bae of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hbdo77 has enforcement authority under that section4 7#ag7 ,probabilistic modeling 7,a7 ,in general ,the term probabilistic modeling means a modeling approach that uses statistics to simulate and quantify the likelihood of achieving desired metrics1 taking into consideration all modeled uncertainties1 for determination of the optimal resource portfolio1 such as a modeling approach consistent with the document of the ,north ,american ,electric ,reliability ,corporation entitled ,probabilistic ,assessment ,technical ,guideline ,document and dated ,august #bjaf1 including the recommendations described in that document4 7,b7 ,inclusion ,the term probabilistic modeling includes modeling that can identify the most important parameters that impact a simulated metric for further characterization or optimization4 7#ah7 ,regional ,transmission ,organization ,the term ,regional ,transmission ,organization has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #gif74 7#ai7 ,reliability standard ,the term reliability standard has the meaning given the term in section #bae7;a7 of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hbdo7a774 7#bj7 ,resource adequacy ,the term resource adequacy means the adequate supply and provision of electricity from various electric generation resources to meet projected electricity demands in a particular power grid region or service area4 7#ba7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,energy4 7#bb7 ,service area ,the term service area means the area or region served by-- 7,a7 an electric utility2 7,b7 a ,regional ,transmission ,organization2 or 7,c7 an ,independent ,system ,operator4 7#bc7 ,state regulatory authority ,the term ,state regulatory authority has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #gif74 #c4 ,categorical exclusion for reconductoring ,part ,,ii of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hbd et seq47 is amended by inserting after section #baf the following3 #baf;,a4 ,grid capacity expansion in existing rights-of-way 7a7 ,definition of previously disturbed or developed ,in this section1 the term previously disturbed or developed has the meaning given the term in section #ajba4ajb7;g77#a7 of title #aj1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or a successor regulation74 7b7 ,establishment of categorical exclusion ,activities to increase the capacity of the electric grid within existing rights-of-way or on previously disturbed or developed land are a category of actions designated as being categorically excluded from the preparation of an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement under the ,national ,environmental ,policy ,act of #aifi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dcba et seq474 7c7 ,inclusions ,the activities to which the categorical exclusion established by subsection 7b7 shall apply include any repair1 maintenance1 replacement1 upgrade1 modification1 optimization1 or minor relocation of1 addition to1 or addition of energy storage at or near1 an existing electric transmission or distribution facility or associated infrastructure1 including electrical substations1 within an existing right-of-way or on otherwise previously disturbed or developed land1 including reconductoring and installation of grid-enhancing technologies4 4 #d4 ,return on equity for advanced transmission conductors ,section #bai of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hbds7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a71 by striking ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this section1 the and inserting ,the2 7#b7 in subsection 7b71 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by inserting issued under subsection 7a7 after rule2 7#c7 in subsection 7c7-- 7,a7 in the second sentence1 by striking ,the ,commission and inserting the following3 7#b7 ,recoverable costs ,the ,commission 2 and 7,b7 in the first sentence1 by striking ,in the rule issued under this section and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,in general ,in the rule issued under subsection 7a7 2 7#d7 in subsection 7d71 by striking ,all rates approved under the rules adopted pursuant to this section1 including any revisions to the rules1 are and inserting ,any rate approved under a rule issued pursuant to this section 7including a revision to a rule7 shall be2 and 7#e7 by adding at the end the following3 7e7 ,advanced transmission conductors 7#a7 ,return on equity ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of the ,,rewire ,act1 the ,commission shall promulgate new1 or revise existing1 rules under this section to improve the return on equity for investments in advanced transmission conductors 7as defined in section #b of that ,act74 7#b7 ,consumer protections ,the ,commission shall ensure that all rates approved under the rules promulgated or revised under this subsection 7including any subsequent revisions to those rules7 are just and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory or preferential1 as required by subsection 7d74 4 #e4 ,state energy programs ,section #cfb7;c77#g77;,b7 of the ,energy ,policy and ,conservation ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fcbb7;c77#g77;,b77 is amended by inserting 1 including reconductoring with advanced transmission conductors 7as defined in section #b of the ,,rewire ,act7 and the installation of grid-enhancing technologies 7as defined in that section7 before the semicolon at the end4 #f4 ,national ,laboratory modeling and evaluation program 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary1 acting through #a or more ,national ,laboratories1 in consultation with the ,commission and the ,electric ,reliability ,organization1 shall establish a program to model and evaluate the performance of the electric grid4 7b7 ,requirements ,in carrying out the program established under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall develop #a or more probabilistic models for transmission planning1 resource adequacy modeling1 and integrated resource planning that-- 7#a7 reflect the specific needs1 resources1 and attributes of a given power grid region or service area2 7#b7 ensure consistent methods based on best practices2 7#c7 include consideration of uncertainties relating to-- 7,a7 transmission systems and infrastructure2 7,b7 the impact of weather 7such as the impact of temperature on transmission facilities1 including line ratings72 7,c7 congestion and thermal overload2 and 7,d7 the costs of new or modified transmission infrastructure1 including reconductoring with advanced transmission conductors and the deployment of grid-enhancing technologies2 and 7#d7 include consideration of other relevant transmission uncertainties1 including those which may be unique to a given power grid region or service area1 as determined by the ,secretary in consultation with the ,commission4 7c7 ,use of modeling ,the ,secretary shall ensure that the models developed pursuant to the program established under subsection 7a7 may be used1 at a minimum-- 7#a7 to simulate and quantify desired metrics1 taking into consideration the relevant uncertainties described in paragraphs 7#c7 and 7#d7 of subsection 7b71 which may be used to assist in transmission planning and the determination of the optimal resource portfolio for the applicable power grid region or service area1 including-- 7,a7 loss of load expectation2 7,b7 expected unserved energy2 7,c7 effective load carrying capability 7also known as capacity value72 7,d7 planning reserve margin2 7,e7 electricity transmission losses2 7,f7 congestion2 and 7,g7 cost2 7#b7 to identify the parameters and processes considered under subsection 7b7 that-- 7,a7 have the most impact on the magnitude or uncertainty of the applicable simulated metrics2 and 7,b7 can be further characterized or optimized to improve the modeling and determination of the optimal resource portfolio and transmission system for the applicable power grid region or service area2 and 7#c7 to identify areas where the deployment of advanced transmission technologies1 such as advanced transmission conductors or grid-enhancing technologies1 may improve electric grid performance4 7d7 ,regional collaboratives 7#a7 ,in general ,in carrying out the program under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall establish regional collaboratives between the ,national ,laboratories and institutions of higher education4 7#b7 ,considerations ,the ,secretary shall1 to the maximum extent practicable1 prioritize establishing regional collaboratives under paragraph 7#a7 that-- 7,a7 are between regional institutions of higher education and ,national ,laboratories that are owned and operated by the ,federal ,government2 7,b7 include institutions of higher education with existing demonstration capability1 such as field-scale systems of not less than #ajj kilovolt-amperes or laboratory capabilities of not less than #aj kilovolt-amperes1 to support technology validation1 utility adoption1 industry engagement1 and workforce development2 7,c7 demonstrate rural grid planning models 7including transmission and distribution co-simulation and digital twin capabilities72 or 7,d7 utilize existing active data sharing and joint modeling programs between institutions of higher education and participating utilities at a statewide scale4 #g4 ,technical assistance relating to the use of advanced transmission conductors 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,developer ,the term developer means a developer of electric transmission facilities or technologies that pays to install a high-voltage transmission conductor4 7#b7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 a developer2 7,b7 an electric utility2 7,c7 a ,state2 7,d7 a ,regional ,transmission ,organization or ,independent ,system ,operator2 or 7,e7 any other relevant entity1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7b7 ,technical assistance and application guide 7#a7 ,application guide ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall establish an application guide for eligible entities seeking to implement-- 7,a7 advanced transmission conductors1 including through reconductoring with advanced transmission conductors2 and 7,b7 grid-enhancing technologies4 7#b7 ,updates ,the guide established under paragraph 7#a7 shall be reviewed and updated annually4 7#c7 ,technical assistance 7,a7 ,in general ,on request of an eligible entity using the guide established under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall provide technical assistance to that eligible entity with respect to the use of advanced transmission conductors and grid-enhancing technologies for particular applications4 7,b7 ,clearinghouse ,in carrying out subparagraph 7,a71 the ,secretary shall establish a clearinghouse of previously completed projects that the ,secretary and eligible entities may use to identify issues and solutions relating to-- 7i7 the use of advanced transmission conductors2 7ii7 reconductoring with advanced transmission conductors2 and 7iii7 the use of grid-enhancing technologies4