---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 16422"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "16422"
heading: "Advanced transmission technologies"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/16422"
units:
  - "Chapter 149 — National Energy Policy and Programs"
  - "Subchapter XII — Electricity"
  - "Part A — Transmission Infrastructure Modernization"
---

# §16422. Advanced transmission technologies

- (a) **Definition of advanced transmission technology—** In this section, the term “advanced transmission technology” means a technology that increases the capacity, efficiency, or reliability of an existing or new transmission facility, including—
  - (1) high-temperature lines (including superconducting cables);
  - (2) underground cables;
  - (3) advanced conductor technology (including advanced composite conductors, high-temperature low-sag conductors, and fiber optic temperature sensing conductors);
  - (4) high-capacity ceramic electric wire, connectors, and insulators;
  - (5) optimized transmission line configurations (including multiple phased transmission lines);
  - (6) modular equipment;
  - (7) wireless power transmission;
  - (8) ultra-high voltage lines;
  - (9) high-voltage DC technology;
  - (10) flexible AC transmission systems;
  - (11) energy storage devices (including pumped hydro, compressed air, superconducting magnetic energy storage, flywheels, and batteries);
  - (12) controllable load;
  - (13) distributed generation (including PV, [fuel cells](/usc/42/16121.md?p=1), and microturbines);
  - (14) enhanced power device monitoring;
  - (15) direct system [state](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) sensors;
  - (16) fiber optic technologies;
  - (17) power electronics and related software (including real time monitoring and analytical software);
  - (18) mobile transformers and mobile substations; and
  - (19) any other technologies the [Commission](/usc/42/16451.md?p=3) considers appropriate.
- (b) **Authority—** In carrying out the Federal Power Act ([16 U.S.C. 791a](/usc/16/791a.md) et seq.) and the [Public Utility](/usc/42/16451.md?p=13) Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 ([16 U.S.C. 2601](/usc/16/2601.md) et seq.), the [Commission](/usc/42/16451.md?p=3) shall encourage, as appropriate, the deployment of advanced transmission technologies.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, § 1223, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 953.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Federal Power Act, referred to in subsec. (b), is act June 10, 1920, ch. 285, 41 Stat. 1063, which is classified generally to chapter 12 (§ 791a et seq.) of Title 16, Conservation. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 791a of Title 16 and Tables.

The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (b), is Pub. L. 95–617, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3117. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2601 of Title 16, Conservation, and Tables.