Senate Energy Bill Targets Utility Monopolies to Cut Grid Costs
A bipartisan Senate bill, the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA), aims to lower electricity costs by forcing utilities to build long-distance transmission lines. The legislation empowers the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve interstate projects if local governments delay them and allows private developers to bypass utility monopolies. While the bill faces potential lobbying resistance, it is seen as a significant step toward modernizing the grid and reducing consumer bills.