Mr. Biden agrees. In the presidential election, he called for a new power line.
It may have helped him win the support of the utility that usually gives Republicans major campaign contributions. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the industry's political action committee and its leaders gave Donald J. Trump about $ 1 million versus $ 1.4 million during the 2020 election. ..
In Washington, developers of large solar and wind projects want a more connected grid, but utilities want more federal funding for new transmission lines. Proponents of solar panels and rooftop batteries are pushing Congress for more federal incentives.
In addition, there is fierce fighting in the state capital over the amount that the utilities have to pay the homeowners for the electricity from solar systems on the roof. California, Florida, and other utility companies want lawmakers to lower these fees. Homeowners with solar panels and renewable energy corporations are fighting against these efforts.
Building power lines is difficult.
Despite Mr. Biden's support, the utility industry may have difficulty adding power lines.
Many Americans oppose power lines for aesthetic and environmental reasons. Strong economic interests also have an effect. In Maine, for example, a campaign is underway to suspend the 145-mile stretch that will bring hydropower from Quebec to Massachusetts.
New England has phased out coal but is still using natural gas. That is what Congressmen want to change with the help of a $ 1 billion line called New England Clean Energy Connect.
That spring, workers fell trees and installed steel bars in the woods of western Maine. The project, first proposed 10 years ago, was to pass New Hampshire until the state declined. Federal and state regulatory agencies have approved a main route sponsored by Central Main Power and Hydro-Québec.
However, the project was embroiled in a lawsuit and residents of Maine could block the project in a November vote.