Work to add higher-voltage capacity and 10,000 miles of new lines faces key issues in siting, cost allocation and regulatory tension, says transmission sector consultant Grid Strategies in Sept. 13 report. 

Unanimous FERC vote July 27 on final rule will prioritize the most construction-ready, financially-viable projects, but its effective date was not announced.

PJM Interconnection system could spur $33B in capital investment with simple transmission link process changes, says a new report.

Bechtel Energy is EPC contractor for the Rio Grande LNG project, with its $11.5B price agreement for the first three trains extended to June 15 and a final investment decision by developer Next Decade to be made by June 30.

North Plains Connector from South Dakota to Montana would enable shared power and more system reliability for large US grids, but transmission experts decry big gaps in "planning, permitting and paying."   

Opponents now seek a rehearing as New Jersey had told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the added capacity was not needed. 

A federal appeals court said FERC exceeded its authority by approving the 50-year renewal of the dam's license. 

UPDATE: Interim chair of key federal regulator of energy, power infrastructure is named Jan. 3, but agency still has a 2-2 partisan split that could hamper project decisions until new Senate hearings confirm a permanent leader.