LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Governor Joe Lombardo signed a bipartisan agreement Tuesday with 10 other Western governors to strengthen the regional electric grid and accelerate construction of transmission infrastructure.
The agreement was signed by the governors of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
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The agreement formally endorses the Western Transmission Expansion Coalition roadmap, known as WestTEC, and establishes the Western Governors’ Transmission Permitting Alignment and Coordination Task Force, known as PACT.
WestTEC provides a data-driven roadmap identifying transmission investments intended to deliver the greatest regional benefit. PACT creates a governor-led framework to improve permitting coordination, resolve cross-jurisdictional challenges and help move priority transmission projects from planning to construction.
The agreement commits participating states to expand transmission infrastructure and accelerate permitting under existing law without reducing environmental protections or requiring new federal legislation.
The governors’ agreement cites rising electricity demand across the West driven by population growth, economic expansion, manufacturing and emerging industries, alongside an aging transmission system that threatens long-term reliability and affordability.
“Nevada’s continued economic success depends on reliable, affordable energy,” Lombardo said. “As our state expands and attracts new businesses, we need the infrastructure to support that growth. This agreement shows that Western states can work together to modernize our grid, protect ratepayers, and build the transmission network needed to power the next generation of economic opportunity.”
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