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136 STAT. 2047 PUBLIC LAW 117–169—AUG. 16, 2022 $760,000,000, to remain available through September 30, 2029, for making grants in accordance with this section and for adminis- trative expenses associated with carrying out this section. (b) USE OF FUNDS.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may make a grant under this section to a siting authority for, with respect to a covered transmission project, any of the following activities: (A) Studies and analyses of the impacts of the covered transmission project. (B) Examination of up to 3 alternate siting corridors within which the covered transmission project feasibly could be sited. (C) Participation by the siting authority in regulatory proceedings or negotiations in another jurisdiction, or under the auspices of a Transmission Organization (as defined in section 3 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 796)) that is also considering the siting or permitting of the covered transmission project. (D) Participation by the siting authority in regulatory proceedings at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or a State regulatory commission for determining applicable rates and cost allocation for the covered transmission project. (E) Other measures and actions that may improve the chances of, and shorten the time required for, approval by the siting authority of the application relating to the siting or permitting of the covered transmission project, as the Secretary determines appropriate. (2) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.—The Secretary may make a grant under this section to a siting authority, or other State, local, or Tribal governmental entity, for economic development activities for communities that may be affected by the construc- tion and operation of a covered transmission project, provided that the Secretary shall not enter into any grant agreement pursuant to this section that could result in any outlays after September 30, 2031. (c) CONDITIONS.— (1) FINAL DECISION ON APPLICATION.—In order to receive a grant for an activity described in subsection (b)(1), the Sec- retary shall require a siting authority to agree, in writing, to reach a final decision on the application relating to the siting or permitting of the applicable covered transmission project not later than 2 years after the date on which such grant is provided, unless the Secretary authorizes an extension for good cause. (2) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the cost of an activity described in subparagraph (C) or (D) of subsection (b)(1) shall not exceed 50 percent. (3) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.—The Secretary may only dis- burse grant funds for economic development activities under subsection (b)(2)— (A) to a siting authority upon approval by the siting authority of the applicable covered transmission project; and (B) to any other State, local, or Tribal governmental entity upon commencement of construction of the applicable Disbursement. Requirement. Deadline. VerDate Sep 11 2014 15:35 Oct 25, 2022 Jkt 029139 PO 00169 Frm 00231 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL169.117 PUBL169 jmbennett on LAP3P8D0R2PROD with Publaw