NEWS: Can ERCOT’s speedy interconnection strategy work across the country? This senator thinks so.

The bill: The Grid Connection and Congestion Management Act, recently introduced by Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), would order grid operators to create a fast-track process for new generation. The tradeoff? During grid congestion, these energy sources have to curtail generation.

The background: It’s a similar concept to ERCOT’s “connect and manage” process. Energy pros have long been eyeing this strategy, which links up new projects roughly two years quicker than the rest of the country. Now, this bill could make faster interconnection the norm nationwide.