Grid Expansion and Reliability Act

This bill, known as the Grid Expansion and Reliability Act, significantly amends the Federal Power Act to expedite the development of electric transmission infrastructure. It transfers key responsibilities from the Secretary of Energy to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding the siting and oversight of interstate electric transmission facilities.

The core change allows individuals or corporations to construct or modify electric transmission facilities within designated national interest electric transmission corridors by simply self-certifying specific project information to FERC. This required information includes the entity's legal details, a description of existing operations, and a concise overview of the proposed facility, including expected construction timelines. FERC is mandated to issue regulations for this self-certification process within one year, conduct annual audits of certifications, and provide annual reports to Congress on the process's efficacy, any resulting issues, and recommendations for improvement.