Golden State Today

California has secured a $600 million federal grant to upgrade 100 miles of electric transmission lines with grid-enhancing technologies aimed at improving reliability and delivering clean, affordable electricity more efficiently.

The Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnership (GRIP) grant was awarded to a consortium that includes the California Energy Commission, the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Independent System Operator, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, and Southern California Edison. These entities will collaborate on the California Harnessing Advanced Reliable Grid Enhancing Technologies for Transmission (CHARGE 2T) program. The initiative aims to expand transmission capacity and provide interconnection improvements to increase equitable access to clean energy resources across the state.

Governor Gavin Newsom commented on the funding: "Once again, the Biden-Harris Administration is not just talking the talk; they’re walking the walk. This funding is critical to our efforts to build a power grid that ensures all Californians have access to cleaner, cheaper, more reliable electricity."

The project is expected to support over 300 direct jobs and enhance more than 100 miles of transmission lines with advanced conductor technologies. These upgrades will help connect more clean energy resources than currently possible. Additionally, it is projected to deliver an estimated $200 million in energy savings from improved grid efficiency while creating economic benefits for disadvantaged communities. Investments will also be made in workforce training programs for future energy and utility workers and in developing a portal to improve transparency and efficiency in the interconnection process.

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla emphasized the importance of modernizing California's grid: “As California grapples with increasingly extreme weather as a result of the climate crisis, bolstering our transmission network is essential for protecting public safety and ensuring a successful clean energy transition.” He added that this historic investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law would update transmission lines to deliver clean electricity efficiently while creating new green jobs.

In addition to this project, another Northern California electrical grid initiative led by tribes including Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe, Hoopa Valley Tribe, Karuk Tribe, and Yurok Tribe received $88 million in GRIP funding. With matching funds from various sources totaling about $200 million, this project aims to develop community microgrids providing reliable and decarbonized systems for areas relying on one of PG&E’s least reliable circuits.

This tribal collaboration addresses challenges posed by rugged terrains prone to wildfires through innovative approaches developed alongside Cal Poly Humboldt's new grid services laboratory. The goal is for these communities to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels significantly.

California continues its leadership in clean energy as it progresses towards achieving 100% clean electricity by 2045. Under Governor Newsom's administration since 2019, battery capacity has increased by 1,250%, reaching 10,379 megawatts (MW). The state's power grid has set several records this year by exceeding daily demand with clean energy on numerous occasions. During July's record two-week heat wave, thanks to new resources and increased battery storage capacity, California’s power grid remained resilient and even exported power to other states.

Governor Newsom has taken significant steps toward streamlining clean energy infrastructure development and investing billions into accelerating these projects statewide.