BIG WIRES Act

The BIG WIRES Act (S 2827) requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to establish minimum interregional electricity transfer capabilities between grid regions. It mandates that each region must achieve a minimum transfer capacity of at least 30% of its peak load by 2035, using specific data-based calculations to measure current grid performance. This affects grid operators and utilities responsible for planning and building transmission infrastructure across regional boundaries. The goal is to improve grid reliability during extreme weather, reduce energy costs for consumers, and enable better sharing of power resources nationwide. The bill also includes a voluntary option for Texas' ERCOT grid to adopt similar standards.