The Biden Administration is already working hard on this, with an excellent new Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) rule released in May 2024. Among other key points, the new rule allows the replacement of power line sections longer than 20 miles to proceed without a lengthy (and easily hijack-able by fossil fuel interests) NEPA environmental review process, and explicitly requires transmission line operators to consider using awesome new technologies like reconductoring.

However, certain regions have more capacity for renewables than others, so creating a carbon-free national grid will mean transmitting large amounts of power across the state lines. Consequently, we need Congress to pass the Building Integrated Grids with Inter-Regional Energy Supply (BIG WIRES) Act. Interregional lines are vital for connecting renewable energy sources to urban demand centers, improving grid reliability, and ensuring that our grid can effectively meet future energy demands.