A Senate permitting bill would authorize the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to permit transmission projects in the public interest.

The Senate bill would expand the federal role in electric-transmission siting by allowing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue permits for projects when doing so is in the public interest. The source describes proposed legislation, not an authority already enacted through this bill.

The legislation would also eliminate National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs) and the federal right of first refusal for incumbent utilities. These are separate provisions alongside the proposed FERC permitting authority.

The bill additionally includes protection for existing federal permits. The supplied excerpt does not identify the bill number, sponsors, legislative timetable, or particular transmission projects that would receive permits.