Democrats to take Senate majority after Georgia victories. Here’s how it could impact the power sector.
Transmission reform should be an infrastructure priority for Congress, regardless of whether a clean energy standard, or similar policy, is put in place, said Devin Hartman, director of energy and environmental policy at free market think tank R Street Institute.
“Congress could address siting and permitting barriers that stifle new development,” he said in an email. “Meanwhile, FERC has the tools to overhaul regulatory practices to let competitive forces flourish in transmission planning and management. FERC’s new composition may well have the willpower to challenge incumbent transmission owners — the dominant player who benefits from the status quo — especially if transmission customers and competitive suppliers form a joint agenda.”
“[M]arket forces are best positioned to drive” the transition, said Hartman.
