Biden Administration Commits $1.3 Billion to Modernize and Expand Power Lines Across Six States and Canada

Funds to facilitate access to renewable power and improve grid reliability, as part of Biden's broader push to reach clean energy goals and withstand extreme weather.

The Biden Administration has committed $1.3 billion to the construction of three major power lines across six states and Canada. This funding aims to improve access to renewable power, improve the resilience of the grid, and help meet clean energy goals.
The projects, set to begin construction between 2025 and 2026, include a line to boost New England's grid capacity with Canadian hydropower, a line to carry renewable energy from New Mexico to Arizona, and a line connecting transmission systems in Utah and Nevada.
The investments are expected to deliver 3.5 gigawatts of additional electric capacity to the grid, equivalent to powering about 3 million homes, and projected to create more than 13,000 jobs.
These power lines are part of the broader aim of the U.S. to transition to a carbon-free power sector by 2035. The current electrical grid requires significant upgrades to accommodate the increased use of renewable energy across high-demand locations.
Despite this major investment, the Energy Department reports that the U.S. needs to more than double the capacity of the power grid to meet climate goals, and that grid expansion by two-thirds or more is necessary by 2035. This would require many billions more in investment and a rapid increase in construction.