WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) issued the following statement in reaction to the Department of Energy’s announcement of its investment of $1.3 billion in three transmission lines crossing six states, including one in Vermont and New Hampshire. This investment was funded by the Transmission Facilitation Program within the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act:  

“Transmission is critically important as we harness the potential of the clean energy revolution. The U.S. will need to make major investments in our transmission systems to strengthen our energy grid and expand our capacity to deliver low-cost, clean energy if we’re going to make this transition a reality. This investment shows the Department of Energy’s commitment to a climate-friendly future. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law program that DOE is putting into motion will improve access to renewable energy and benefit infrastructure host communities, including many of those in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Expanding and building transmission lines in an environmentally responsible, safe, and clean way will lower costs, create jobs, and help improve energy reliability for families across New England.” 

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