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SEPA Highlights Need for Coordinating Transmission Development

Coordination, collaboration and partnerships needed to achieve a more cost-effective carbon-free electricity system

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Recognizing the importance of transmission development to the nation’s climate, economic and societal goals, the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) releases a new paper that makes the case for greater coordination, collaboration and partnerships among transmission utilities and developers.

“Transmission development is critical to achieve an affordable carbon-free energy future, but a variety of barriers exist that continue to delay progress,” said Janet Gail Besser, vice president, regulatory and business innovation at SEPA. “Increased coordination, collaboration, and partnerships among transmission developers and utilities is one piece of the solution that needs immediate industry attention.”

Drawing from past examples of successful transmission development and discussions with utilities, regulators, consumer advocates, system operators, environmental organizations and renewable developers, the paper describes the factors and approaches that can improve transmission development collaboration and success.

The authors put forward the following findings and recommendations to support and enable the development of long-distance, interstate, intraregional and interregional transmission development:

  • Align Policy on the need for and benefits of transmission that crosses multiple jurisdictions
  • Identify portfolios of transmission projects at the planning stage that provide value across and between regions
  • Participate in regulatory and policy processes that build confidence in transmission solutions
  • Leverage policy, portfolios and processes for partnerships that demonstrate the value of transmission and bring together complementary skills to share resources and expertise

Coordination, collaboration and partnerships among transmission utilities and developers can improve the efficiency of the transmission development process, and enable greater innovation in proposed projects that bring multiple benefits to all stakeholders and advance a carbon-free future.

The paper, Coordinating for Transmission Development: Delivering a Carbon-Free Energy Future is available to the public.

Media contact: Jordan Nachbar [email protected]; 202-559-2034

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