WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, today joined U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) and U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-IL-06) in reintroducing the Energizing Our Communities Act, legislation to support local communities that host Department of Energy (DOE)-supported transmission projects. The program will help build trust between local governments and transmission developers so our nation can sustainably increase transmission capacity, which is crucial to a national clean energy transition. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) also cosponsored the bill.
“Expanding transmission lines is key to achieving a clean energy future and ensuring the long-term welfare of communities in Vermont, New England, and across the country. But building a comprehensive and reliable transmission grid that connects communities to renewable energy won’t happen overnight. That’s why it’s crucial to support community buy-in programs that work to increase transmission build-out at the ground level,” said Senator Welch. “The Energizing Our Communities Act works to strengthen the nation’s transmission grid by fostering a healthy relationship between communities and developers. This will be critical to boosting clean power capacity nationwide so we can lower energy costs, increase resiliency from extreme weather events, and help meet rising clean energy demands.”
“Cheaper energy needs more clean power – and a modern grid to move it,” said Senator Hickenlooper. “Local communities are ready to bring transmission lines into the 21st century. Let’s put them in the driver’s seat of our new energy future.”
“The transition to clean, affordable, and reliable energy represents one of the greatest economic opportunities of our time,” said Rep. Casten. “The Energizing Our Communities Act seizes that opportunity by investing in the communities that will host the power lines that take cheap electricity from where it’s generated to where it’s needed, spurring economic growth along the way. It’s a win for our planet and for the people at the heart of the clean energy transition.”
The Energizing Our Communities Act invests revenue from certain federal Department of Energy loan programs back into communities, including tribal governments, that host transmission infrastructure. This bill aims to support national transmission grid build-out by ensuring communities see the benefits of transmission at the ground level.
The Energizing Our Communities Act is endorsed by Grid Action; National Association of Counties (NACo); National League of Cities (NLC); Pathway Power; Protect Our Winters (POW); Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO); and the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT).
“The scale of modern electric transmission projects requires thoughtful intergovernmental partnership, including finding ways to ensure resources invested in these projects directly benefit the communities that host them,” said Matthew Chase, Executive Director, National Association of Counties. “Counties applaud Senator Welch for his leadership in introducing the Energizing Our Communities Act and encourage its swift passage.”
“The Energizing Our Communities Act invests federal energy loan interest payments into local communities, and advances local economic development, infrastructure improvements and conservation projects, while delivering energy needs,” said Clarence E. Anthony, CEO and Executive Director, National League of Cities. “This innovative solution is the result of Senator Welch’s and Representative Casten’s leadership to help cities, towns and villages of all sizes secure resources to provide programs and services to residents.”
“One of the key challenges to deploying and scaling energy projects of all kinds in America today is the limited capacity of our transmission system. The Energizing Our Communities Act takes important steps to strengthen this critical infrastructure, ensuring that energy, whether traditional or renewable, can reliably reach the communities that depend on it. By expanding transmission, we not only improve the resilience and affordability of our energy supply, but also create the foundation to integrate clean energy at the scale needed for the future. We are grateful to Senator Welch and Congressman Casten for their leadership on this issue, and we look forward to working with partners like Protect Our Winters to help turn this vision into reality,” said Jam Attari, Managing Partner and Founder, Pathway Power.
“Senator Welch and Congressman Casten are showing the kind of leadership our communities desperately need. The Energizing Our Communities Act is a commonsense solution that will accelerate transmission capacity and clean energy deployment, lower costs for families, and strengthen our local economies, all while tackling the climate crisis head-on. Outdoor enthusiasts across the country know that the future of the places we love depends on bold, practical policies like this. Just as importantly, the bill ensures that community members are supported and engaged in the clean energy transition, an essential step to building trust and reducing NIMBYism that too often slows progress. Protect Our Winters is looking forward to supporting these efforts to ensure the Outdoor State has a strong voice in shaping our clean energy future,” said Ben Gubits, Vice President of Campaigns, Protect Our Winters.
“Vermont Municipalities and local governments across the country want reliable, affordable, and climate-resilient infrastructure. The Energizing Our Communities Act will help municipalities do their part in supporting modern electrical transmission systems built for the future,” said Josh Hanford, Director of Intergovernmental Relations, Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT).
Senator Welch has championed initiatives to lower energy costs, create green jobs, and speed the transition to a clean energy economy. In a recent speech on the Senate floor, Senator Welch slammed President Trump’s Executive Order declaring a national energy emergency, which will kill jobs in the clean energy sector that are vital to producing less expensive power. In April, Senator Welch introduced the Advancing Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs) Act, legislation to boost investment in grid-enhancing technologies and increase U.S. power grid capacity.
Last Congress, Senator Welch introduced the bicameral American Renewable Energy Act (AREA), legislation to establish a 70% renewable energy resource standard by 2034 and up to 100% by 2044 to drastically reduce emissions, decrease pollution, and promote community resilience. The Senator also welcomed professional athletes, outdoor recreation enthusiasts, and climate advocates to Capitol Hill to discuss the importance of passing the Energizing Our Communities Act.
Learn more about the Energizing Our Communities Act of 2025.
Read and download the full text of the bill.
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