119th (2025–2027)
H.R. 9843
This bill amends federal energy law to establish new rules for how costs are shared for major electric transmission projects. The legislation allows companies that build or significantly expand high-capacity transmission lines—including those crossing state borders or located offshore—to request approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to allocate costs to customers based on the benefits those customers receive. Specifically, the bill applies to new transmission lines with at least 1,000 megawatts of capacity or expansions that add at least 500 megawatts of capacity, completed after the law takes effect. The goal is to make cost-sharing fairer by tying what customers pay to the reliability, economic, and resilience benefits they gain from the projects. The bill does not specify new federal funding for transmission projects or implementation timelines beyond requiring Commission approval of cost allocation plans.