SPEED and Reliability Act of 2025

This bill amends the Federal Power Act to streamline federal permitting for certain electric transmission facilities that are in the national interest, focusing on reliability and congestion reduction. It updates definitions, permit criteria, state consultation, cost allocation, and federal coordination rules.

Sec. 2, Transmission permitting: The bill revises the definition of 'improved reliability' to include compliance with reliability standards, reduced unserved energy, resource adequacy compliance, and other material improvements like reduced outage risk. It also defines 'landowner input' as input from affected landowners, farmers, and ranchers.

Sec. 2(b), Construction permit: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) must issue permits for transmission facilities if they are in the national interest, reduce congestion, protect consumers, improve reliability, enhance energy independence, and meet voltage or advanced conductor standards. Modifications must maximize existing infrastructure capabilities.

Sec. 2(c), State siting and consultation: FERC cannot override state siting authority but must consult states, federal agencies, tribes, property owners, and consider landowner input.

Sec. 2(d), Rights-of-way: Rights-of-way must follow Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 71.1.

Sec. 2(e), Cost allocation: Utilities must file tariffs allocating costs to beneficiaries based on improved reliability, reduced congestion, lower power losses, greater capacity, reduced reserves, and access to lower-cost generation. Customers with no or trivial benefits cannot be forced to pay costs.

Sec. 2(f), Coordination of federal authorizations: FERC is the lead agency for permitted facilities; the Department of the Interior leads for facilities on Outer Continental Shelf leases. Deadlines for coordination are set at 18 months after this act's enactment.

Sec. 2(g), Interstate compacts: Removes references to national interest corridors and updates language on state agreement disputes.

Sec. 2(h), Transmission infrastructure investment: Allows recovery of prudently incurred costs for payments to jurisdictions impacted by transmission facilities.

Sec. 2(i), Jurisdiction: The bill does not apply to ERCOT. FERC has jurisdiction over all transmitting utilities for this section, but this does not make non-public utilities public utilities.

Sec. 2(j), Conforming amendments: Updates references in other laws to remove 'national interest electric transmission corridor' language.

Sec. 2(k), Minimizing regulatory burden: No new rules are required unless explicitly stated.

Sec. 2(l), Savings provision: This bill does not give FERC authority over retail electricity sales or local distribution.