States Balk at Permitting Plan’s ‘National Interest’ Power Lines

The Biden administration’s efforts to speed permitting of some electric transmission lines by declaring “national interest” corridors—and unlocking $2 billion in the new climate law—face opposition from state utility officials who want to retain authority to make final decisions.

The federal-state tension is amplified under a permitting overhaul coming before Congress soon. That legislation would grant the energy secretary authority to declare national interest and allow the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue a construction permit, according to a one-page summary and draft bill text circulated in July.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), chair of the Senate Energy and ...