Let’s take a moment to appreciate the TransWest Express’ impact. Once completed in 2027, the 732 mile line will span four states - Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada. It’s expected to generate energy equivalent to about three-fourths of the power consumed by Los Angeles alone. It will transport 20,000 gigawatt hours of mostly renewable energy from remote corners of the American West to the metro-areas where power is most needed.
This momentous project took 16 years to break ground. And that’s the problem. Transmission projects like TransWest Express are vital to America’s future. A more robust system of power lines will allow us to cut emissions while boosting reliability. Every summer, rolling blackouts caused by extreme heat and forest fires evidence the importance of both a more resilient and cleaner energy system.
The good news is that there’s finally a conversation about transmission. Big write-ups at major publications like The Atlantic in The LA Times. Kamala Harris went to the ribbon cutting ceremony for The Ten West Link project earlier this year. Pete Buttigieg has preached the importance of expanding our transmission system a number of times since being named transportation secretary in 2021.
Unfortunately, just because power professionals and legislators agree that a rapid transmission buildup is important, doesn’t mean it’ll happen. As I’ve mentioned before on this forum, inefficient regulation is one of the biggest hindrances to transmission projects today. A 2018 report by the nonprofit Americans for a Clean Energy Grid identified 22 shovel-ready projects that had been in existence for a decade or more. To get such projects off the ground, the report’s authors suggested streamlining project siting and permitting, passing a tax credit for transmission projects, and direct investment by the federal government.
The TransWest project is great. But we need to replicate it across the country if we hope to transition to renewables while keeping the lights on. And we can’t wait 16 years this time.