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Committee considers state transmission authority to speed upgrades and reconductoring
Summary
Gross substitute Senate Bill 5,466 would establish a Washington Electric Transmission Authority to coordinate planning, assist permitting, and, as a last resort, own or acquire transmission facilities to address congestion and unlock new clean-power connections.
Megan McFadden (staff to the committee) briefed gross substitute Senate Bill 5,466, which would create a Washington Electric Transmission Authority with powers to enter contracts, engage in transmission planning, own and develop facilities as a last resort, and report regularly on needs and activities. The bill requires a transmission needs assessment every five years and amends the state review process for certain upgrades.
Senator Shoemake (bill sponsor) told the committee the authority is modeled on entities in New Mexico and Colorado and said the state needs tools to unlock transmission capacity so clean-energy and industrial projects can connect to the grid.
Supporters said the bill would accelerate reconductoring and targeted upgrades on existing lines and provide…
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