Load and interconnection forecasting

(a) Technical assistance (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program to provide technical assistance to support the forecasting by covered interconnection entities of long-term load projections, particularly with respect to improving forecasting associated with data center load interconnection requests. (2) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this subsection. (b) Transparency and disclosure (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, to improve the forecasting of electricity demand and data center load interconnection requests by covered interconnection entities across the United States, the Commission shall establish transparency and disclosure requirements for data center load interconnection requests, including load interconnection requests occurring at the transmission level and load interconnection requests occurring at the distribution level. (2) Requirement The requirements established under paragraph (1) shall seek to reduce duplicative, speculative, and other requests that impede accurate forecasting, including by imposing new transparency and information-sharing requirements for utilities and covered interconnection entities to implement with respect to data center load interconnection requests, as the Commission determines to be appropriate.