Senate Nominees Discuss FERC's Role in Addressing Energy Interconnection Backlogs
September 04, 2025 | Energy and Natural Resources: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation
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The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources convened on September 4, 2025, to discuss critical nominations and pressing issues surrounding energy infrastructure, particularly the backlog in generation interconnection queues and the need for hydropower permitting reform.
During the hearing, nominees expressed a strong commitment to addressing the significant delays in connecting new energy resources to regional grids. A recent report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab highlighted that nearly 2,300 gigawatts of generation and storage capacity are currently stalled in interconnection queues. The nominees acknowledged the multifaceted nature of this issue and emphasized the importance of collaboration with Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) and Independent System Operators (ISOs) to find effective solutions.
Senator Danes underscored the necessity for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to maintain its focus on economic and safety regulation, rather than becoming a climate regulator. Both nominees affirmed their commitment to this mission, pledging to review decisions impartially and prioritize affordable, reliable, and safe energy.
The discussion also turned to hydropower, a vital energy source for states like Montana. Senator Danes highlighted the lengthy and cumbersome relicensing process for existing dams, which can take nearly a decade. He advocated for reforms to expedite this process, allowing for the continued growth of renewable baseload energy sources. The nominees expressed their willingness to examine FERC's role in streamlining hydropower licensing, recognizing the urgent demand for electricity and the challenges faced by hydropower operators.
As the committee moves forward, the focus remains on enhancing energy infrastructure and ensuring that regulatory processes keep pace with the growing demand for reliable energy resources. The outcomes of these discussions will have significant implications for energy policy and infrastructure development in the coming years.
During the hearing, nominees expressed a strong commitment to addressing the significant delays in connecting new energy resources to regional grids. A recent report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab highlighted that nearly 2,300 gigawatts of generation and storage capacity are currently stalled in interconnection queues. The nominees acknowledged the multifaceted nature of this issue and emphasized the importance of collaboration with Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) and Independent System Operators (ISOs) to find effective solutions.
Senator Danes underscored the necessity for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to maintain its focus on economic and safety regulation, rather than becoming a climate regulator. Both nominees affirmed their commitment to this mission, pledging to review decisions impartially and prioritize affordable, reliable, and safe energy.
The discussion also turned to hydropower, a vital energy source for states like Montana. Senator Danes highlighted the lengthy and cumbersome relicensing process for existing dams, which can take nearly a decade. He advocated for reforms to expedite this process, allowing for the continued growth of renewable baseload energy sources. The nominees expressed their willingness to examine FERC's role in streamlining hydropower licensing, recognizing the urgent demand for electricity and the challenges faced by hydropower operators.
As the committee moves forward, the focus remains on enhancing energy infrastructure and ensuring that regulatory processes keep pace with the growing demand for reliable energy resources. The outcomes of these discussions will have significant implications for energy policy and infrastructure development in the coming years.
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