Gottheimer proposes legislation to expedite electric transmission project approvals in House

U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer has authored a bill in the U.S. House that seeks to expedite the approval of large-scale electric transmission projects while preserving federal oversight, according to the U.S. Congress.

Filed on April 13, 2026, during the 2026 regular session of the 119th Congress, H.R.8248 proposes changes outlined in the actual bill text, with the following summary providing clarity on its key points.

The bill would amend the Federal Power Act, granting individuals or organizations the ability to construct or upgrade electric transmission lines in national interest corridors by self-certifying required details to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Certification must include the applicant’s legal name and address, current operations, and project specifications. FERC would be responsible for establishing regulations within 365 days of passage, carrying out yearly audits, and reporting to Congress on the process’s success. The legislation seeks to make permitting for critical electric infrastructure more efficient, while preserving oversight and transparency.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (Democrat-NJ-5th District) introduced the bill with Rep. Michael Lawler (Republican-NJ-17th District) as co-sponsor.

To date this session, Rep. Gottheimer has brought forward an additional 62 bills.

Congressional bills can be introduced in either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate, though measures regarding revenue must start in the House. Once introduced, bills are referred to committees for evaluation, hearings, potential changes and debate before moving forward for votes in both chambers. Passage of matching versions in the House and Senate sends legislation to the president for signature or veto. Congress serves two-year terms, each divided into two annual sessions and designated by consecutive numbers. Congress.gov provides official documentation of the legislative process and bill histories.

Josh S. Gottheimer represents New Jersey as a Democrat, having been first elected to the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress and serving through four successive terms, with his service beginning January 3, 2017. He holds a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, earned in 1997, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School, received in 2004.

Information in this article was obtained from the U.S. Congress. The source data can be found here.