Cortez Masto Introduces Legislation to Improve Reliability of America’s Electricity Grid, Lower Energy Costs

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Representative Kathy Castor (D-Fla.-14) introduced bicameral legislation to make it easier for new energy projects to connect to the U.S. electricity grid – in order to improve reliability and lower costs for families across the country…

“Reducing barriers to all power plant development is a commonsense bipartisan imperative,” said Devin Hartman of R Street Institute. “These barriers threaten grid reliability in an era of resurgent growth in demand. Fortunately, the Expediting Generator Interconnection Procedures Act (EGIPA) would ensure the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) finishes the job. It would bolster grid reliability, lower energy costs, and improve environmental outcomes by reducing regulatory impediments and facilitating freer markets. EGIPA is simply sound public policy…”

The process of connecting new power plants to the national power grid – called interconnection – is complicated, expensive, and can take years to complete. Cortez Masto’s Expediting Generator Interconnection Procedures Act (EGIPA) would improve FERC’s interconnection process, making it faster and easier to complete. The bill would improve grid reliability and lower prices for consumers by making more energy options available.

The legislation is supported by 20 different organizations, including the Electricity Consumers Resource Council (ELCON), Electricity Customer Alliance, Industrial Energy Consumers of America (IECA), and R Street Institute.

As part of her Innovation State Initiative, Senator Cortez Masto has led efforts in Congress to support Nevada’s energy industries and cut through red tape, while lowering costs for families. At a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing in March, she discussed the need to speed up interconnection processes with FERC nominees.