Conservative Energy Network Applauds Historic Transmission Investment

The investment underscores the need for immediate Congressional action on permitting reform

December 13, 2024 – LANSING, MICHIGAN. – The Conservative Energy Network (CEN) applauds Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s (MISO) recent approval of Tranche 2.1. This action represents a significant investment in America’s power grid and comes at a time when China is outpacing the United States in transmission infrastructure development by a five to one margin.

“Investment in our nation’s power grid is needed to ensure America remains an economic powerhouse. The historic approval of Tranche 2.1 further underscores the need for immediate Congressional action on permitting reform,” said John Szoka, CEN CEO. “We are encouraged by the continued bipartisan support for commonsense policies like the Energy Permitting Reform Act. The construction of MISO’s Tranche 2.1 portfolio will drive economic development, build critical infrastructure, and create American jobs. We cannot allow regulatory red tape to hinder the much needed expansion and modernization of our nation’s power grid. Streamlining the federal permitting process is the first step toward restoring American energy dominance.”

A recent report found that the rise of data centers, artificial intelligence, and American manufacturing will drive a fifteen percent growth in power demand over the next five years. To meet this challenge, CEN recognizes the need for bipartisan policies, like the Energy Permitting Reform Act, that cut regulatory red tape and enable America to build the energy generation and transmission capacity needed to ensure a secure, reliable, affordable, and clean power grid.

Tranche 2.1 is the second phase of MISO’s Long Range Transmission Planning. The portfolio includes 24 projects that will build 3,631 miles of much needed transmission lines. These projects are projected to come online from 2032-2034 and will ensure future electric reliability while providing benefits that exceed project costs. More information can be found here.

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Conservative Energy Network (CEN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit coalition of 25 state-based conservative clean energy organizations championing secure, reliable, affordable, clean American energy. Learn more at www.conservativeenergynetwork.org.