Electricity grid gets boost from Congress

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By Rosalie Westenskow UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL

Congress has pledged billions for the antiquated U.S. electricity grid in an effort to stiffen the nation's energy backbone.

But although most experts agree the grid desperately needs to be updated, there's dispute about what role the federal government should play. Some groups want to see states lead the transformation; others say an integrated, timely renovation must be coordinated from Washington.

A complex web of 300,000 miles of transmission lines powers the country every day, providing energy for heating, lighting and every other power-based activity.

The stimulus bill signed by President Obama in mid-February includes $11 billion for improvements to the grid — an investment many policymakers label as an essential component of increasing green energy and efficiency. This includes everything from installing transmission lines to employing new technologies to streamline the flow of energy.

"Smart grid technologies can alter the way we use electricity," Rep. Edward J. Markey, Massachusetts Democrat, said at a hearing in the House Select Committee on Global Warming last week. "I think of this as the 'energy Internet.'"

Among other things, a "smart" grid could boost energy efficiency by providing meters to help consumers evaluate their energy usage and store excess energy in the batteries of hybrid plug-in vehicles.

In 2005, Congress gave ultimate authority over the grid to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). But the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last month that FERC can't overrule a state's decision to reject a transmission project.

"The issue is that states need to have a role in the decision-making process," said Dan Scandling, spokesperson for Rep. Frank R. Wolf, Virginia Republican, who has pushed to limit federal power to build new lines.

The case before the Court of Appeals involved two power companies that plan to build a high-voltage power line through multiple states, including Maryland and Virginia, providing power for New York City.

"They were going to put in huge transmission lines and enormous towers, some as high as 17 stories, and they were going to be over some of Virginia's most historic sites," Mr. Scandling said. "It's all about serving these large population centers."