USA, Washington: Washington state has established the Washington Electric Transmission Authority (WETA) to support development of new transmission capacity and address growing grid constraints.
The authority was created under SB 6355, which was signed into law in March and took effect in June. Its purpose is to coordinate transmission planning and development across utilities, developers, government agencies, tribes and local authorities.
WETA will work with transmission developers on projects in priority corridors identified by the state. Its remit includes supporting new transmission corridors, upgrades to existing lines, permitting coordination and project development. In some cases, the authority may also own transmission assets temporarily before transferring them.
The legislation also gives WETA eminent domain authority to secure rights-of-way where land agreements cannot be reached.
Washington faces growing electricity demand from electrification and large new loads, while additional renewable generation is increasing pressure on existing transmission infrastructure and interconnection capacity.
The new authority is expected to focus particularly on expanding transmission between eastern and western Washington, where additional capacity is needed to move renewable power toward major demand centres.
However, the legislation does not remove existing permitting requirements, and transmission projects will still require approval through state or local processes.
WETA will be overseen by a 10-member board, with appointments due before January 2027.
Source: Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
