Federal-State Modern Grid Deployment Initiative

Expanding the capacity of the U.S. power grid has typically relied on building new transmission lines with technologies that have not changed since the mid-twentieth century. Today, a new generation of modern grid technologies provides a significant opportunity to increase capacity of the power system, including through high-performance conductors that have the benefit of being able to carry double or more of the amount of power of conventional transmission wires, as well as grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) that maximize electricity transmission across the existing system through a family of technologies that includes sensors, power flow control devices, and analytical tools. Deploying these tools means that renewables and other clean sources of power can be integrated sooner and more cost-effectively than waiting for new transmission construction, which can address load growth challenges more rapidly, create good-paying jobs, and lower Americans’ utility bills. 

In May 2024, the Biden-Harris administration announced the launch of the Federal-State Grid Modern Grid Deployment Initiative with commitments from 21 states — Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin — and later welcomed Minnesota into the initiative. Together, these states committed to prioritize efforts that support the adoption of modern grid solutions to expand grid capacity and build modern grid capabilities on both new and existing transmission and distribution lines. Alongside this announcement, the U.S. Climate Alliance announced the availability of policy, technical, and analytical assistance to help participating members advance their state-level efforts.