Committee advances bill requiring utilities to study ‘advanced transmission technologies’ in planning

Senate Bill 422, introduced by Sen. Mike Cook, advanced from the House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee after testimony from utilities, conservation groups and technical experts who said so-called advanced transmission technologies (ATTs) can increase capacity on existing lines and reduce the need to build new transmission.

The bill would require utilities to include ATT assessments in their integrated resource plans (IRPs), direct the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to study ATT applications and encourage ATT deployment under IURC oversight. Committee members voted to advance the bill; the committee recorded a 12-0 affirmative vote on the motion to report the bill.

Why it matters: Supporters told the committee ATTs — hardware and software changes such as advanced conductors and real‑time line sensors — can free capacity on existing lines, cut congestion costs and be deployed far faster…