Section 1221(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, codified at 16 U.S.C. 824p(a), directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct an electric transmission congestion study every three years, and to prepare it in consultation with affected states and regional reliability organizations. In the study, the Department seeks to provide information about transmission congestion by focusing on specific indications of transmission constraints and congestion and their consequences. The study focuses on a specific time frame – e.g., historical trends over the past few years, and looking forward three to five years. The study is based entirely on publicly-available data and transmission-related documents.

The comment period for the 2020 National Electric Transmission Congestion Study lasted 60 days and closed on Monday, November 23, 2020. After considering the comments, the Office of Electricity will prepare and publish a report summarizing and responding to the comments and indicating whether DOE intends to designate any specific geographic areas as National Electric Transmission Corridors.