H.R. 8248 — Grid Expansion and Reliability Act

This section revises Section 216 of the Federal Power Act to transfer authority for designating national interest electric transmission corridors from the Secretary of Energy to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). (As background, such corridors identify areas where construction or modification of high-voltage interstate electric transmission facilities is needed to support reliability or reduce congestion.) The section replaces the prior federal permit process with a self-certification regime that authorizes any person to construct or modify facilities in designated corridors upon submitting specified information (i.e., legal name and contact details, entity type and state of organization, description of existing operations, facility details including timelines, and table of contents), effective upon FERC issuing implementing regulations within 365 days of enactment. (Thus, developers bypass state siting approvals and prior FERC permit requirements.) The section further requires FERC to (1) annually audit certifications for completeness and (2) submit annual reports to Congress, beginning 365 days after enactment, assessing the certification process's efficacy, any issues, and improvement recommendations. The section makes conforming amendments to FERC's backstop siting authority under subsection (e) (eliminating prior "good faith efforts" requirements for landowner engagement); updates references throughout subsections (h) and (i); eliminates one consultation requirement in subsection (h)(9); and narrows subsection (i)(4) to FERC resolution of interstate compact disputes over transmission siting.