Rail and Highway Transmission Planning Act

This bill directs the federal government to conduct a study on co-locating high-voltage power lines on existing highway and rail corridors. The study, led by the Energy Secretary with input from transportation agencies and stakeholders, will assess technical feasibility, safety, costs, and benefits of building transmission infrastructure within these rights-of-way. It will identify suitable corridors, evaluate different line configurations (like overhead or underground), and analyze impacts on grid reliability, energy costs, and transportation operations. The study must produce public reports within three years, including data to help accelerate future transmission projects without requiring immediate construction. This focuses on planning and data-sharing to address grid capacity constraints, directly affecting federal agencies, utilities, and transportation infrastructure owners.