Bill > H7068

This bill expands the review and oversight powers of the Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB), referred to as the "board," concerning regional transmission spending and infrastructure. It amends existing laws to include new definitions relevant to modernizing the electric grid, such as "advanced conductor" (a more efficient electric wire), "advanced power flow control" (technology to reroute electricity), "dynamic line rating" (real-time assessment of line capacity), "grid-enhancing technology" (a broad category of technologies for more efficient electricity flow), "reconductoring" (replacing old wires with advanced conductors), and "topology optimization" (software to reconfigure the grid). The bill requires the board to consider how proposed projects align with the state's climate goals, including greenhouse gas emission reductions, and to evaluate potential climate change impacts like sea-level rise. It also mandates that applicants for transmission line projects must consider using existing rights-of-way and justify why they are not, and must demonstrate how their projects fulfill identified regional needs, with the board weighing these regional needs against state-specific ones. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that the board's regulations on constructing high-voltage transmission lines now explicitly include the replacement, rebuild, or expansion of existing transmission infrastructure.

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