The gaps analysis examines key differences between the electric and transportation sectors relevant to the development of transmission infrastructure within transportation ROWs. The following data appendices are being provided here to share timely information with interested parties. The full report is forthcoming.

How to use the Gaps Analysis Appendices

Appendices A-E are Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, where data can be easily sorted and filtered. Each file contains a “Read Me” tab with a point of contact from either Pacific Northwest National Laboratory or the Volpe Center, depending on the topic of the file. Appendix F is a PDF. To reference this data, please use this citation: 

O'Neil R.S., M. Baum, J. Yoshimura, G. Filosa, M.A. Cruz, V.A. Hamilton, and J.B. Kincaid. 2025. “Electric Transmission in Transportation Rights-of-Way: Gaps Analysis - Data Appendices.” PNNL-SA- 213383. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; Cambridge, MA: John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center. 

We invite feedback! The data in these appendices is dynamic and subject to change. We welcome corrections, additions, and updates from all users. Please send feedback to Rebecca O’Neil for energy/electricity topics or Maiya Baum for transportation topics.

Contains data on 19 transmission projects in transportation ROW originated in the period 2000-2025, including commissioned, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) approved, proposed, and terminated projects across 13 states. High voltage AC and DC projects are represented, as are overhead and underground construction, and highway and rail ROWs.

Every state has policies and procedures for accommodating utilities in highway ROW. The project team reviewed each state utility accommodation policy, along with any relevant state ROW manuals, administrative codes, and online utility permitting resources. The team documented each state’s policies on transmission in the ROW, categorizing them in three groups: “Generally allows,” “Generally disallows with case-by-case exception,” and “Disallows”.

Provides information on the seven class I railroad companies’ utility accommodation policies and requirements for the longitudinal installation of wireline utilities in the rail ROW. The table provides information on the policies and requirements for above-ground versus below-ground installations.

Contains information on states statutes and legislation supporting use of the transportation ROW for transmission. The analysis is based on: 1) State-by-state statutory analysis of authorization (note ten states had no easily available information); 2) Federal enabling statutes; 3) Google search for legislation promoting use of transportation ROW for electric transmission; and 4) Google search for pending legislation promoting use of transportation ROW for electric transmission.

A comparative summary of transmission siting regulations in the U.S., showing wide variability across states. For example, a certificate of public convenience and necessity is a common requirement for developers to obtain in many states, while other states may not require it at all. Among states that do require a CPCN, the specific criteria that triggers this requirement, such as voltage level, differs significantly between states.

This 27-page document contains three case studies about transmission in transportation ROWs: 1) the Champlain Hudson Power Express project, an HVDC transmission line planned to run 339 miles from the U.S.-Canada border to Queens, New York; 2) the process of removing barriers to transmission development in transportation ROWs in Minnesota; and 3) the SOO Green HVDC Link, a planned HVDC transmission line to span 350 miles from Mason City, Iowa, to Plano, Illinois, primarily in underground conduits within the ROW of freight railway company, CPKC.