Consolidated planning process

Part III of the Federal Power Act is amended by inserting after section 317 (16 U.S.C. 825p) the following: 318. Consolidated planning process (a) Consolidated generation and transmission planning Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (referred to in this section as the Commission) shall issue a rule requiring each transmission planning region (as defined in section 225(a)) to file a consolidated interconnection and regional transmission planning process that— (1) jointly evaluates electric transmission facilities and the generating capacity reasonably anticipated to be needed to meet future forecasted demand and forecasted generation over the next 20 years; (2) routinely identifies and publishes resource and fuel-neutral planned interconnection locations for generating capacity and an upfront, fixed, zonal, per-megawatt cost for each planned interconnection location; and (3) establishes a streamlined generator cluster study process with a single decision point, meaningful and nonrefundable financial security, and withdrawal penalties sufficient to deter speculative projects. (b) Deadline; updates The consolidated interconnection and regional transmission planning process required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the rule under subsection (a) shall be— (1) filed with the Commission not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026; and (2) updated not less frequently than once every 2 years. (c) Commission review The Commission shall— (1) review each consolidated interconnection and regional transmission planning process filed pursuant to the rule under subsection (a); and (2) approve the consolidated interconnection and regional transmission planning process if the Commission finds that the process— (A) ensures that all rates, charges, terms, and conditions will be just and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory or preferential; and (B) is consistent with the public interest..