Transmission

Massachusetts and Nova Scotia issued a joint RFI on November 13, 2026, to explore offshore wind development in Nova Scotia and transmission options for delivering power to New England. The early market-engagement effort invites input across generation, transmission, ports, supply chains, labor, and stakeholder communities, but is not a funded procurement or active solicitation.

The Senate voted 73–25 on a procedural measure to begin considering S. 5653, which proposes faster federal reviews for energy infrastructure and would assign large data center operators more responsibility for grid-upgrade costs. The bill is not law; amendments and further congressional action remain, so project timelines and requirements are not yet settled.

Following the midterm elections, federal permitting reform may become a bipartisan priority affecting renewable energy, transmission, and gas-fired power projects. The Restoring Renewable Energy Parity Act and BAAJA are proposals—not enacted policy or active procurement opportunities—so project and schedule impacts remain contingent on congressional action.

The **Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)** anticipates launching its BP-27R rate case and TC-27R tariff proceeding by the end of 2026 to consider revisions to 2026 rate schedules and its open access transmission tariff. Potential changes tied to SPRINT, PLAID, and a Transmission Open Season could affect power costs, transmission access, and planning assumptions for organizations and contractors relying on BPA services.

Vermont and Nova Scotia signed a three-year MOU to explore offshore wind collaboration, transmission planning, and regional grid integration, including possible delivery of Nova Scotia power to New England through Vermont. The agreement signals potential future planning and infrastructure work, but includes no solicitation, award, funding commitment, procurement schedule, or bid deadline.

The Tennessee Valley Authority is accepting comments through November 19, 2026, on a draft programmatic environmental impact statement for transmission activities tied to generator interconnection requests. The process could shape environmental review for future projects, but it is not a solicitation or award; TVA separately cites more than $13 billion in planned power-system investments through fiscal year 2029.