Energy Hearing: Wires, Rates, and States: Permitting Transmission for Reliable and Affordable Power

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce held a subcommittee hearing on May 13, 2026, titled "Wires, Rates, and States: Permitting Transmission for Reliable and Affordable Power." The hearing focused on the challenges and opportunities in modernizing the U.S. electric grid, particularly the permitting, planning, and cost allocation of transmission infrastructure. Witnesses from utilities, regulatory bodies, and industry experts discussed the importance of state authority in transmission siting and integrated resource planning, the need for federal permitting reform to reduce delays and costs, and the benefits of interregional transmission to improve reliability and affordability. Several witnesses emphasized the complexity of balancing federal and state roles, the necessity of cost-effective and consumer-focused planning, and the critical role of supply chain and financing certainty. The hearing also addressed the impact of rising energy demand, including from AI data centers, and the competitive imperative to build a resilient grid to compete globally, especially with China. Members questioned witnesses on permitting bottlenecks, cost allocation, and the integration of new technologies, highlighting bipartisan interest in advancing transmission infrastructure while protecting ratepayers and local communities.