wiredInUSA April 2017

Calling on Congress M A K I N G T H E NEWS

A US manufacturing, construction, energy and environmental workers has asked congress to include electric transmission provisions in any proposed infrastructure legislation and so streamline the expansion of US electrical infrastructure. A letter, co-signed by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), WIRES, and other groups, urged congress to promote grid investments that lessen the economic impact of electrical outages and ensure that the country’s high voltage transmission system is productive and secure. “Just like highways and bridges, transmission is infrastructure that keeps theUS economymovingandgrowing,” said Tom Kiernan, CEO of AWEA. “Investment in new transmission lines will modernize the US grid and deliver coalition representing

more clean energy to population centers. This investment will also help to keep the lights on, and costs low, for American homeowners and businesses. Recognizing transmission as essential infrastructure is another way congress and the administration can keep promises of advancing all forms of energy while growing US energy independence.” and protecting the electric grid is a national priority,” said NEMA president and CEO Kevin Cosgriff. “Upgrading and extending the more than 200,000 miles of high voltage transmission lines in the United States is necessary in its own right to ensure that low cost and reliable electricity continues to flow to the nation’s businesses, hospitals, schools, and homes.” “Modern electricity infrastructure is the missing piece of the puzzle,” added Abigail Ross Hopper, SEIA’s president and CEO. “Modernizing, expanding,

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wiredInUSA - April 2017