HB 1381: Public utilities; require grid modernization assessments to be filed with integrated resources plans

Georgia law requires large electric utilities to file integrated resource plans with the Public Service Commission every few years, laying out how they plan to meet future electricity demand. HB 1381 would add a new requirement: starting with plans filed after July 1, 2026, utilities must include a grid modernization assessment identifying transmission corridors that are congested or expected to become congested within the next ten years. For any new transmission line or major expansion identified in that assessment, the utility would have to compare the cost and technical performance of grid-enhancing technologies (software and hardware that boost the capacity of existing lines) and advanced reconductoring (upgrading existing wires with higher-capacity conductors) against building new lines, and justify why new construction is needed. The Public Service Commission could not approve a new high-voltage line unless the utility shows these alternatives cannot meet the need. The bill also lets utilities fully recover the cost of these technologies through customer rates and keep 25 percent of verified savings from reduced congestion, passing the rest to ratepayers.

• Requires utilities to file a grid modernization assessment with each integrated resource plan submitted after July 1, 2026, identifying congested or soon-to-be-congested transmission corridors.
• Requires utilities proposing new or expanded transmission lines to compare them against grid-enhancing technologies and advanced reconductoring and justify why new construction is needed.
• Blocks the Public Service Commission from approving a certificate for a new high-voltage transmission line unless the utility proves the need cannot be met with existing-line upgrades instead.
• Allows utilities to recover the full cost of grid-enhancing technology and advanced reconductoring investments through their base electric rates.
• Lets utilities keep 25 percent of verified annual savings from reduced line congestion achieved through these technologies, while the remaining 75 percent goes back to customers as a rate credit.
• Adds legal definitions for 'advanced reconductoring' and 'grid-enhancing technologies' (or 'GETs') to Georgia's integrated resource planning law.

Georgia's regulated electric utilities that file integrated resource plans, the Public Service Commission that reviews and approves those plans and transmission projects, and electricity ratepayers whose bills would reflect both new cost recovery for grid technology and credits from congestion savings.

If enacted, utilities would need to show new transmission lines are truly necessary before building them, potentially slowing or reshaping large infrastructure projects. Ratepayers could see both new charges for grid technology investments and credits from congestion savings, changing how transmission costs show up on electric bills.

• Section 1 adds definitions for 'advanced reconductoring' and 'grid-enhancing technologies' (GETs) to O.C.G.A. § 46-3A-1, the definitions section of Georgia's integrated resource planning law.
• Section 2 amends O.C.G.A. § 46-3A-2 to require a grid modernization assessment in integrated resource plans filed after July 1, 2026, identifying congested transmission corridors over the next ten years.
• Section 2 also requires utilities to file a technical and economic comparison showing GETs or advanced reconductoring were considered before proposing new or expanded transmission lines.
• Section 3 amends O.C.G.A. § 46-3A-4 to bar the commission from issuing a certificate for a new high-voltage transmission line unless the utility shows the capacity need cannot be met through GETs or advanced reconductoring on existing rights of way.
• Section 4 amends O.C.G.A. § 46-3A-7 to allow full cost recovery through base rates for capital spent on GETs and advanced reconductoring that received a certificate.
• Section 4 also lets the commission allow utilities to keep 25 percent of verified annual congestion savings from GETs, with 75 percent passed to ratepayers as a rate credit.

1. 2026-02-20House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-02-19House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-18House Hopper (House)

• Samuel Park (D, HD-107)Primary sponsor
• Todd Jones (R, HD-025)
• Eric Gisler (D, HD-121)
• Tangie Herring (D, HD-145)
• Beth Camp (R, HD-135)
• Brad Thomas (R, HD-021)

• electric utilities
• power grid technology
• transmission lines
• Public Service Commission
• electricity rates