President Joe Biden has announced a $1.3 billion federal investment to construct three new interstate power lines, marking a significant step towards upgrading the United States' outdated electric grid and transitioning it to clean energy. The investment aims to support the Biden administration's goal of achieving a carbon-pollution free power sector by 2035.

The three transmission lines will traverse across six states, including Arizona, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Utah, and Vermont. Each project has its unique purpose. The Southline Project will transport wind power from New Mexico to cities in Arizona, while the Twin States Clean Energy Link Project will connect Canada's clean energy to New England and vice versa. Additionally, the Cross-Tie project intends to deliver renewable energy from the West to the Midwest.

These three transmission lines are projected to contribute an additional 3.5 gigawatts of energy to the US grid, which is equivalent to powering approximately 3 million households, as stated by the Department of Energy. The development and construction of these transmission lines are expected to generate around 13,000 new jobs.

In light of the administration's push for a carbon-free power sector, the upgrade of the electricity grid is crucial in facilitating the distribution of electricity from areas abundant in solar and wind power to locations with high demand. Additionally, the electrification of other sectors such as transportation necessitates a doubling of the current grid capacity, according to Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm.

The investment comes at a crucial time as the US energy infrastructure is aging. Constructed in the 1960s and 1970s, the current grid's deteriorating condition has resulted in customers experiencing an average of over seven hours of power outages in 2021, compared to just over three hours in 2013, based on data from the US Energy Information Administration. Furthermore, the impact of climate change has led to more frequent extreme weather events, further straining the existing energy infrastructure.

While the $1.3 billion investment is an important step forward, the process of building electric transmission lines is known to be complicated and often faces delays and obstacles during planning and construction phases. For instance, even with the new federal funding, the Twin States project cannot begin construction until it obtains all necessary approvals. The project's estimated timeline aims to complete siting and permitting by 2026, finish construction by 2030, and be operational by 2031, according to spokesperson Mary-Leah Messenger from National Grid, the firm responsible for developing the Twin States line.

In an effort to expedite the federal permitting processes and increase efficiency in grid infrastructure development, federal agencies, along with the Biden administration, have previously expressed their commitment to streamlining these processes.

President Biden's $1.3 billion investment in building three new interstate power lines represents a significant stride towards upgrading the US electric grid and advancing the nation's transition to clean energy. While challenges may lie ahead in the construction of these transmission lines, this investment is a crucial component of the administration's broader strategy to achieve a carbon-pollution free power sector by 2035.