NEMA sets sites on Energy Policy Act implementation for T&D products [NEMA News]

Although the Energy Policy Act of 2005 includes major NEMA-drafted or -advocated incentives for electric transmission infrastructure investment, federal government regulation is still required to implement these provisions. NEMA is now promoting a list of major federal regulatory actions needed in the near term to implement EPAct 2005 transmission provisions in a way that maximizes investment and leads to an improved transmission grid system. NEMA participation in the implementation process is also clearly needed for advanced transmission technologies and incentive-based rates. NEMA drafted both of these provisions and consequently understands the intent. NEMA\´s proposals envisioned "advanced transmission technologies" to be handled in the context of incentive-based rates. The final EPAct 2005 language makes the linkage unclear, and a FERC rulemaking requirement exists only for incentive-based rates. NEMA plans to advocate that FERC define technologies referred to in the act as "related technologies" to be called "advanced transmission technologies" instead.