New Rule Could Spur More Energy Projects

By REBECCA SMITH   |   WSJ  |   Link to article

Federal energy regulators approved a major rule change that they said would lead to more big electricity transmission lines getting built in the U.S.

The new order, adopted Thursday, should particularly benefit wind- and solar-energy projects, which are often located in remote places that are poorly served by existing interstate transmission lines, said Jon Wellinghoff, chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The new rules are meant to remove barriers that have stymied construction of new multi-state transmission lines, in part by allowing companies other than local utilities to build segments of the transmission projects. (full article)