Bill · S. 5008· Senate(119-S-5008)
Grid Connection and Congestion Management Act
- Introduced
- 7/16/2026
- Last activity
- 7/16/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Martin Heinrich
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
S. 5008, known as the "Grid Connection and Congestion Management Act," requires Regional Transmission Organizations and Independent System Operators to offer a basic access service for energy-only delivery. The bill sets rules for how these grid administrators evaluate and study new electricity generation facilities wanting to connect to the transmission system. It limits the studies strictly to what is needed for reliable interconnection without requiring extra upgrades just for deliverability. Interconnection customers can choose to have their evaluations done independently instead of waiting for a grouped study process. Additionally, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is tasked with reviewing tariff filings, establishing a pro forma tariff, and acting on related complaints within specific timelines.
Yes· 3 of 12
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?+5
Providing an energy-only interconnection option helps renewable energy developers bypass costly deliverability upgrades and connect faster.
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?+4
Facilitating faster grid connections for new generation facilities can accelerate the deployment of clean energy resources.
Is this likely to create jobs?+3
Streamlining grid interconnection processes could encourage more investment and job creation in energy and infrastructure projects.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2(d)(5) establishes procedures to complete the evaluation of a request for basic access service for energy-only delivery within one year. This could benefit electricity producers and project developers by speeding up the connection process.
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Section 2(h)(1) allows an interconnection customer to have their evaluation conducted independently of any grouped study process, such as a cluster study. This provision helps individuals or groups avoid delays caused by waiting for large groups of other requests to be processed together.
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Section 2(g) provides a transition path allowing a customer receiving basic access service to move to another interconnection service without forfeiting their right to continue operating under the basic access section until the new service begins. This gives power producers flexibility as their business needs change.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Section 2(f)(1) specifies that basic access service for energy-only delivery may be subject to congestion-related curtailment, including constraints identified in the initial evaluation. This could negatively impact energy producers by forcing them to reduce or stop generating power when the transmission system becomes congested.
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Section 2(d)(4) assumes that certain constraints will be managed through operational measures like curtailment and operating limits. This means generation facilities might regularly face forced reductions in their energy output to maintain reliability standards.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Increases Renewable Energy Investment+5Reduces Carbon Emissions+4Improves Rural Development+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+3Increases Job Creation+3Improves Small Business Support+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+3Good For Farmers+2Good For Rural Residents+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Interstate Commerce+3Improves Government Transparency+2Increases Federal Power+2
- 7/16/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Introduced in Senate