; and (B) grants to eligible entities to contract for qualified technical assistance to assist in the development of a plan. (3) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this subsection $200,000,000, to remain available until expended. 4. Non-wires alternatives (a) Definition of non-Wires alternative Section 3 of the Federal Power Act ( 16 U.S.C. 796 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (30) Non-wires alternative The term non-wires alternative means an electricity grid investment or project that uses one or more nontraditional solutions, including distributed generation, energy storage, energy efficiency, demand response, microgrids, or grid software and controls, to defer or replace the need for specific equipment upgrades or new infrastructure, such as transmission or distribution lines or transformers, at a substation or circuit level. . (b) Consideration of non-Wires alternatives in regional transmission plans Section 202 of the Federal Power Act ( 16 U.S.C. 824a ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (h) Issuance of rule relating to consideration of non-Wires alternatives in regional transmission plans As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Commission shall issue a final rule that— (1) requires public utility transmission providers— (A) to solicit non-wires alternatives in the development of regional transmission plans; and (B) to identify opportunities for non-wires alternatives; (2) requires Transmission Organizations to develop procedures to control or manage non-wires alternatives providing transmission services