Electricity Transmission 

The U.S. electric transmission grid consists of more than 200,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines (230 Kilovolts and greater).  Transmission lines carry electricity from power plants to areas where electricity is needed. Electricity travels at nearly the speed of light, arriving at a destination at almost the same moment it is produced. Reliable electric service and regional electricity markets depend on strong transmission systems. 

We Need to Invest in Transmission Now

As our country’s demand for electricity continues to increase, the system must be expanded and upgraded to meet the needs of our growing population and digital economy. In order to build the system to better meet current and future demand, to alleviate congestion, and to reinforce system reliability, electric companies have earmarked billions of additional dollars for investment in the coming decade.

Shareholder-owned electric companies invested nearly $49 billion in the nation's transmission system from 2000 to 2007, and are expected to spend an additional $31 billion from 2008 to 2010. According to a 2008 report by The Brattle Group, the electric power industry will need to invest $298 billion in the nation’s transmission system from 2010 to 2030 in order to maintain reliable service.

Resources

• Transmission Projects: At A Glance
  Report highlights major EEI member company transmission projects either recently completed, currently under construction, or in various stages of the proposal/planning/siting process (January 2008).
• Transforming America's Power Industry: The Investment Challenge 2010-2030
  Prepared by The Brattle Group for The Edison Foundation, November 2008.

• State Generation & Transmission Siting Directory: Agencies, Contacts, and Regulations
  This resource contains regulatory contacts and summary information for siting of generation and transmission facilities in 50 states. Print copies are available. Please contact Rick Loughery at 202-508-5647 or rloughery@eei.org.
• Meeting U.S. Transmission Needs 
  Reviews the state of electric transmission investment in the U.S., prepared by Energy Security Analysis, Inc.
• EEI Principles on Transmission Investment
  Effective wholesale competition needs a robust, reliable and cost-effective transmission infrastructure.
• EEI Survey of Transmission Investment: Historical and Planned Capital Expenditures (1999-2008) 
  This report provides details on two EEI survey projects that identified historical and planned transmission investment by investor-owned utilities.
• Transmission Resources for Members
  EEI electric company members can access these resources.