Western States Weigh Transmission Authorities to Strengthen the Grid

Overview

So far in the 2025 legislative session, Oregon, Washington, and Montana lawmakers have introduced bills to create new transmission authorities responsible for transmission infrastructure planning and development. Establishing transmission authorities continues to be a critical policy lever for states, especially those without a regional transmission organization (RTO), to consolidate and formalize transmission planning processes. 

• Why it matters: The power grid is in desperate need of increased transmission development to ensure the reliability, resiliency, and security of the electrical system into the future. According to the Department of Energy’s National Transmission Needs study, the U.S. will need 47,000 gigawatt (GW) miles of new high-voltage transmission capacity by 2035, but as of 2021, only 386 miles of new lines have been built. 

Key Components of Transmission Authorities

Transmission authorities typically work to improve transmission capacity and planning through the following activities: identifying transmission corridors, negotiating interstate transmission, assisting in permitting and siting, facilitating processes to help fund transmission projects, and entering into partnerships with public or private entities to develop projects. 

2025 State of Play – Western States Considering Transmission Authorities

The introduced bills in Washington (HB 1673 / SB 5466) and Oregon (HB 3628) build on lessons learned from New Mexico and Colorado. New Mexico was the first state to establish a transmission authority in 2007 when the legislature passed the Renewable Energy Transmission Authority (RETA) Act (HB 188). More recently, the Colorado legislature passed S.B. 072 in 2021, to establish the Colorado Electric Transmission Authority (CETA), an independent political subdivision of the state, tasked with developing and planning for both intra and interstate transmission development.

Montana (HB 314) takes a slightly different approach by not only focusing on the planning and development of transmission but also the coordination of energy generation.

Stay Informed on State Energy Policy With NCEL

Keep up to date on transmission legislation introduced this session on NCEL’s Transmission Issue Page. To learn more about transmission policy options for state legislators, see NCEL’s Transmission Briefing Book.