And You Get Transmission, And YOU Get Transmission, And....

When the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail!

The U.S. Department of Energy released a draft of its new "National Transmission Planning Study" last week and, surprise, surprise, surprise, every last place in the continental U.S. needs a whole bunch of new transmission lines.

As our pals at PJM Interconnection stated in a comment to the DOE about this study:

PJM cautions against approaching this analysis based on a ‘top down’ analysis based on what appears to be an attempt at optimizing the deployment of renewables across the nation.

That's right, DOE has stepped outside its statutory playpen and tried to make a study of transmission congestion and constraints about building a new transmission system to support an unbelievable and unachievable number of industrial wind and solar installations, mainly in the Midwest and Plains.

New transmission advances clean energy goals by enabling greater access to clean energy resources, which can be in remote areas, far from load and the existing transmission system.

And, of course, all those "remote" clean energy resources planned for your back yard need new transmission to get the electric harvest to those that "need" it in the big cities that don't want to look at ugly energy infrastructure in their own neighborhoods.

Transmission projects also frequently face public opposition or “not-in-my-backyard” concerns for various reasons. These challenges can lead to increased costs, schedule delays, or even project cancellations.

Damn straight, Skippy!

But what's the goal here?  This biased study created from other studies paid for by "clean energy" special interests and "clean energy" special people who now all seem to work for the DOE for some weird reason, is a precursor to DOE designation of National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors, or NIETCs.  Once an NIETC is designated by DOE, then permitting authority for transmission projects proposed within the corridor passes to FERC.  DOE proposes that NIETCs be generated for very narrow corridors requested by transmission developers on a project-by-project basis.  And FERC proposes that it shall begin its permitting work right away, even before state utility regulators have a chance to approve or deny the project.

This is a whole of government effort to flatten you and take your property in the name of "clean energy."

There's plenty wrong with DOE's study, both from a technical and a legal perspective.  I'd like to buy a drink for the commenter from Reliability First (one of the NERC reliability organizations) who pointed out every incorrect presumption and crazy unicorn dream in the study.  Obviously it goes without saying... if the independent professionals who make sure the lights come on when we flip the switch is skeptical of this "study" then perhaps we should also question it.

The study suggests that we need to build huge transfer facilities between regions to enable "sharing" of resources.  However, such a scheme could also create kings and serfs -- where certain regions do not build enough generation to meet their own needs, even on low use days, and then develop increasing reliance on other regions to keep pumping out more power for the King's use. 

There's nothing in here that is even remotely useful.  DOE's findings of "congestion" aren't even real, as demonstrated by their finding of "congestion" between Pennsylvania and DC/Northern Va. in the PJM region.  PJM says:

A significant portion of the higher congestion noted in the Report is associated with multiple transmission outages in support of approved upgrades. As a result, the congestion listed should not necessarily be considered a persistent level of congestion in the Mid-Atlantic.

Great job, DOE!  Your study as about as useful as a couple puddles of cat puke.... kinda looks like that, too.

Here's a news article that is a lot easier to read than the actual report, although it may gush just a little too hard.  Media bias is a real problem these days.  The article tells us how very much Invenergy loves this "study" as it relates to its "Green Belt Express" project.

The study was warmly welcomed by Chicago-based Invenergy LLC, developer of the proposed $7 billion Green Belt Express line that could help carry up to 5,000 MW of Great Plains wind power to Great Lakes and mid-Atlantic population centers.
A key 530-mile segment of the line, running from Kansas to central Missouri, is a candidate for a federal loan guarantee, according to DOE — one of the new or strengthened transmission initiatives provided for DOE in the infrastructure act.

“We are encouraged by the findings of the draft study which underscore the critical need for interregional transmission to deliver cost-effective generation, meet projected demand growth and usage shifts, and improve reliability and resilience, especially in the face of increasing extreme weather events, cybersecurity risks, and physical threats,” said Shashank Sane, Invenergy executive vice president for transmission, in a statement.
“The draft study rightly focuses on identifying market barriers to interregional transmission development to accelerate deployment of clean energy,” he added.

Sure, right... as if Grain Belt Express has anything at all to do with electricity markets and isn't just going to sell its project off to be used as a private tie line to proposed generation.

Anyhow... the article also plays up the fact that the public can comment on the "study."

And you're all invited to ASK QUESTIONS at DOE's "study" webinar tomorrow afternoon!  Sign up now and don't miss all the fun!

Be sure not to lose sight of the fact that all of this complete and utter nonsense is costing you millions that can only be paid for by higher taxes.