WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is proposing to expand electric grid capacity by upgrading existing transmission lines rather than building new corridors, aiming to reduce permitting delays and lower costs as national electricity demand rises.
What This Means for You
- Existing power lines could carry more electricity without building new corridors.
- Projects within current rights-of-way could face fewer federal permitting delays.
- Supporters say the upgrades could lower congestion costs and improve reliability.
U.S. Sens. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., and Peter Welch, D-Vt., introduced the Reconductoring Existing Wires for Infrastructure Reliability and Expansion (REWIRE) Act of 2026, legislation intended to modernize the electric grid and meet projected increases in energy demand.
Rising Demand, Limited Expansion
After two decades of relatively flat growth, U.S. electricity demand is projected to rise by as much as 5.7% by 2030, the fastest increase since the 1960s, according to the Department of Energy.
Meeting that demand would require nearly 5,000 miles of new high-capacity transmission lines annually. In 2024, only 322 miles of new high-voltage transmission were completed, according to the senators.
What Is Reconductoring?
The bill centers on “reconductoring,” replacing older wires on existing transmission lines with advanced conductors designed to carry more electricity.
Supporters say reconductoring can double line capacity while using existing towers and rights-of-way — the land corridors where utilities already operate — potentially avoiding years of delays associated with siting and permitting new lines.
The senators said reconductoring could reduce grid costs by $85 billion by 2035 and $180 billion by 2050 by easing congestion and limiting the need for new construction.
What the Bill Would Do
The REWIRE Act would:
- Streamline environmental reviews by creating a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, for certain projects that increase grid capacity within existing rights-of-way, including reconductoring with advanced conductors, deploying grid-enhancing technologies and deploying energy storage.
- Direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to improve the return on equity for reconductoring projects, a change supporters say would encourage utilities to invest in transmission upgrades.
- Allow State Energy Offices to use Department of Energy State Energy Program funds to conduct feasibility studies for reconductoring and grid-enhancing technologies projects.
- Establish regional collaboratives between the Department of Energy, national laboratories and universities to evaluate grid performance and identify high-impact upgrade opportunities.
- Authorize the Department of Energy to assist transmission developers and create a national clearinghouse of advanced transmission technology applications, case studies and best practices.
Grid-enhancing technologies, often called GETs, include tools such as dynamic line ratings and monitoring systems that can help operators increase how much power moves over existing lines while maintaining safety limits.
Lawmakers and Supporters
“Electricity demand in Pennsylvania and across America is rising rapidly and that requires innovative solutions to strengthen our electric grid and cut through the bureaucracy that is holding us back,” McCormick said. “The bipartisan REWIRE Act is exactly the kind of commonsense fix we need.”
Welch said faster permitting and incentives for reconductoring would help connect new energy resources to the grid and “save consumers money.”
Several energy companies and trade groups endorsed the measure, including Eos Energy, EQT, PPL Corp., and the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, along with policy organizations that said reconductoring and other advanced transmission upgrades could expand capacity more quickly than building new lines.
The bill was introduced in the Senate. No committee vote or floor schedule was announced.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.