CT HB07017

Electric distribution companies and transmission owners must design two project alternatives when constructing or materially modifying transmission facilities costing $5 million or more: one using advanced conductors (at least 10% lower resistance, 75% capacity increase) and one using grid-enhancing technologies or nontransmission alternatives

Connecticut Siting Council must give preference to grid-enhancing technology or nontransmission alternative projects when they are equally or more cost-effective than the utility's preferred project

Starting January 15, 2026, utilities must annually file five-year construction schedules with cost estimates, plain-language project descriptions, and historical cost data for projects completed since January 1, 2020 with PURA

DEEP Commissioner and Consumer Counsel must evaluate planned projects within 180 days of filing and may initiate procurement for feasible nontransmission alternatives; consultant costs may be recovered through congestion charges

Electric distribution companies must submit cost-effectiveness analyses for grid-enhancing technologies, advanced conductors, and energy storage in base rate or capital improvement proceedings, with PURA authorized to approve deployment with or without performance incentives