One of the greatest challenges facing today’s energy systems is how to bring more renewable energy to market. Though there is no fuel cost associated with renewables, generation sources are often far from load centers (populated areas). A special report by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) in November 2008 found that, “The existing bulk transmission network is inadequate to reliably deliver power from new renewable resources to demand centers.”

Other recently issued studies by independent organizations have come to similar conclusions and have pointed to the need for more transmission development to meet growing desire for more electric power from renewable energy resources. In order to meet demand on a large scale, such as a proposed Renewable Portfolio Standard of 25% Renewables by 2030, vast improvements to the US Transmission system will be needed.

Following is analysis of transmission needs by key industry leaders:

“The outcome of our discussion was clear – reforming our energy policies to build a cleaner, greener national transmission system – an electric superhighway – must be a top national priority.”

Senator Harry Reid, (D – Nevada)
Announcing major transmission legislation on March 5, 2009

“We need a National policy commitment to develop the extra-high voltage (EHV) transmission infrastructure to bring renewable energy from remote areas where it is produced most efficiently into our large metropolitan areas where most of this Nation’s power is consumed. Certainly, developing local renewable energy and distributed resources is also important as we expand our capacity to generate clean power, but that is a separate issue from, and is not a substitute for, developing the EHV transmission infrastructure that I describe above and the related feeder lines that will interconnect renewable energy resources to the transmission grid.

Without this National commitment, we will not be able to take full advantage of our capacity to develop clean power. Clean power is essential to meeting our National energy goals, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening our National security, and revitalizing our economy.”

FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff
Testimony at the hearing before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on electricity transmission lines, Thursday, March 12, 2009

“[We have] a huge energy potential for wind in the Atlantic, a huge solar potential in the Southwest, and a whole host of other items in the portfolio of renewable energy.

[But] unless we are able to deal with the transmission issue, we will be standing in place 5 or 10 years from now. It is appropriate for…Congress and President Obama to be absolutely focused like a laser beam on transmission.”

Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar
Department of the Interior News Release, February 23, 2009