(1) 
develop 
and 
maintain 
schemas 
and 
metadata for Form No. 1 data consistent with sec-
tion 3506(b)(6) of title 44, United States Code; 
(2) provide user-friendly tools to explore, 
download, and analyze such data, including filtering 
by utility, year, region, and data category; and 
(3) ensure such data is accessible to the public 
in both bulk and disaggregated forms, with Applica-
tion Programming Interfaces and visualization tools 
where feasible. 
(c) REQUIREMENTS.—The Commissioner shall en-
sure that the data repository developed and maintained 
under subsection (a)— 
(1) includes the data in fully searchable and 
machine-readable format; 
(2) is capable of including high-quality data 
through schemas and accompanying metadata; 
(3) ensures consistent identification of data ele-
ments or assets that satisfy regulatory requirements 
for data, established by the Commission, as reflected 
in machine-readable metadata; 
(4) uses standardized data formats across all 
Transmission Organizations and transmitting utili-
ties; 
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(5) is used by Transmission Organizations and 
transmitting utilities to file reports required under 
the Federal Power Act and this Act; 
(6) enables uploading of reports filed under the 
Federal Power Act or this Act; 
(7) is optimized for operability by Transmission 
Organizations and transmitting utilities to limit the 
administrative burden of, and ensure consistency in, 
such filings; 
(8) includes interactive tools and visualization 
interfaces to allow users to explore trends in trans-
mission buildout, interconnection timelines, and as-
sociated ratepayer costs; 
(9) 
incorporates 
Application 
Programming 
Interfaces or bulk download functionality to support 
third-party analysis and research; and 
(10) ensures that publicly accessible data is 
aligned with the security of guidelines for Critical 
Energy/Electric Infrastructure Information, and in-
cludes appropriate data anonymization and cyberse-
curity protections, based on Commission guidance. 
SEC. 4. GRID RESEARCH AND ANALYTICS. 
(a) RESEARCH AND POLICY ANALYSIS.—The Sec-
retary, in collaboration with the Commission, using stand-
ardized methodologies and anonymized queue data col-
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lected under this Act, shall conduct research and publish 
periodic reports on the following topics: 
(1) Primary drivers of increased costs to rate-
payers associated with transmission and interconnec-
tion, including— 
(A) transmission capital expenditures; 
(B) interconnection-related upgrade costs; 
(C) interconnection study delays; 
(D) regional variations in cost allocation 
methodologies; and 
(E) cost recovery practices by utilities and 
grid operators. 
(2) Value delivered to ratepayers from trans-
mission and interconnection investments, including 
through— 
(A) improvements to electric system reli-
ability; 
(B) avoided emissions or emissions reduc-
tions; and 
(C) enhancements to long-term system re-
silience and grid flexibility. 
(3) Mechanisms to enhance ratepayer afford-
ability, including— 
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(A) evaluation of performance-based regu-
lation frameworks applied to transmission and 
interconnection-related investments; 
(B) assessment of alternative interconnec-
tion solutions such as grid-enhancing tech-
nologies, shared infrastructure models, or con-
solidated upgrades; and 
(C) evaluation of demand-side interven-
tions that reduce the need for costly trans-
mission or interconnection investments. 
(4) Comparative scenario modeling of potential 
energy futures, to— 
(A) identify lowest-cost pathways to na-
tional grid expansion; 
(B) assess trade-offs among investment 
strategies; and 
(C) inform decision-making by utilities, re-
gional planning entities, and Federal agencies. 
(5) Systemic cost impacts from interconnection 
inefficiencies, including analysis of how study delays, 
queue withdrawals, and increased construction peri-
ods contribute to higher system costs for ratepayers 
or generators. 
(6) Opportunities to increase system efficiency 
and unlock latent capacity through improved oper-
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ational practices and deployment of advanced tech-
nologies, including— 
(A) assessment of unused or underutilized 
grid capacity due to outdated planning assump-
tions or lack of dynamic optimization; 
(B) evaluation of technologies such as dy-
namic line ratings, topology optimization, flexi-
ble interconnection, or flow control devices; and 
(C) quantification of benefits to ratepayers 
and system operators from unlocking this ca-
pacity relative to traditional capital-intensive 
buildout. 
(b) INTERCONNECTION TRANSPARENCY AND DASH-
BOARD.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall, through 
one or more National Laboratories, develop, main-
tain, and continuously improve an Interconnection 
Data Dashboard (in this section referred to as the 
‘‘Dashboard’’) that presents real-time and historical 
information relevant to interconnection of genera-
tors, loads, and other utilities or transmission sys-
tems. 
(2) PURPOSE.—The Dashboard shall provide 
public stakeholders, regulators, utilities, developers, 
and researchers with transparent, up-to-date in-
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