High-Capacity Grid Act
Latest action (15 Sep 2026): On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
What this bill does
The High-Capacity Grid Act would amend the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ensure that public utilities use "best-available" transmission conductors—wires designed to carry more electricity, operate more efficiently, and perform well mechanically—when building new transmission lines or making major upgrades to existing ones. Within one year of enactment, FERC would have to develop a methodology, in consultation with the Department of Energy, for designating which conductors qualify, along with compliance and filing requirements for utilities. The bill also sets exceptions: the requirement would not apply to projects already underway (permits filed or conductors procured before enactment), emergency repairs after disasters or other emergencies, cases where using such conductors would compromise safety or violate reliability standards, or cases where a utility shows the cost increase would be disproportionate to the benefits gained.
The bill primarily affects public utilities that build or upgrade transmission lines regulated by FERC, as well as FERC itself, which would gain new rulemaking duties. Consumers could be indirectly affected through potential changes in transmission costs and grid capacity, though the bill's text does not specify particular cost or rate outcomes.
The bill passed the House on September 15, 2026 by voice vote after being introduced in December 2025. It now moves to the Senate for consideration; no further House action is required unless the Senate makes changes.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
High-Capacity Grid Act
This bill requires public electric utilities to use the best-available transmission conductor for certain interstate transmission lines (i.e., power lines) in order to recover the costs of the conductor through consumers' electric bills.
Specifically, in any filing seeking to recover the costs of a transmission conductor for the transmission line and in any proceeding to determine if the costs may be recovered through rates, the bill directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to presume that (1) the use of a best-available transmission conductor is a prudent practice and that the associated costs are just and reasonable, and (2) the use of a transmission conductor that is not a best-available transmission conductor is not prudent and that the associated costs are not just and reasonable.
A best-available transmission conductor is a conductor that (1) provides the greatest feasible and commercially available energy-carrying capacity at a given voltage level, (2) provides the highest feasible and commercially available electrical efficiency at that voltage level, and (3) mitigates thermal sag (drooping of power lines) at the maximum rated transmission-carrying capacity of the facility.
The bill applies to projects to (1) construct new transmission facilities; or (2) modify, upgrade, or replace an existing transmission line.
Timeline
15 Sep 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
21 Jul 2026
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 49 - 0.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 6633 do?
- The High-Capacity Grid Act would amend the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ensure that public utilities use "best-available" transmission conductors—wires designed to carry more electricity, operate more efficiently, and perform well mechanically—when building new transmission lines or making major upgrades to existing ones. Within one year of enactment, FERC would have to develop a methodology, in consultation with the Department of Energy, for designating which conductors qualify, along with compliance and filing requirements for utilities. The bill also sets exceptions: the requirement would not apply to projects already underway (permits filed or conductors procured before enactment), emergency repairs after disasters or other emergencies, cases where using such conductors would compromise safety or violate reliability standards, or cases where a utility shows the cost increase would be disproportionate to the benefits gained. The bill primarily affects public utilities that build or upgrade transmission lines regulated by FERC, as well as FERC itself, which would gain new rulemaking duties. Consumers could be indirectly affected through potential changes in transmission costs and grid capacity, though the bill's text does not specify particular cost or rate outcomes. The bill passed the House on September 15, 2026 by voice vote after being introduced in December 2025. It now moves to the Senate for consideration; no further House action is required unless the Senate makes changes.
- Has H.R. 6633 become law?
- Not yet. As of 15 Sep 2026, H.R. 6633 is passed house (senate next).
- Who sponsored H.R. 6633?
- H.R. 6633 was sponsored by Rep. Julie Fedorchak [R-ND] (Republican-ND), with 4 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 6633?
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (15 Sep 2026).
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