1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Connecting Hard-to-reach Areas with Renewably Generated Energy Act of 2023 or the CHARGE Act of 2023 . 2. Findings Congress finds that— (1) current transmission planning is fractured across many jurisdictions, prioritizes incumbent entities and highly localized transmission, and fails to identify cost-effective solutions for 21st century needs; (2) the historical structure, regulations, and incentives of the electric power system lead to under-planning and under-investment in the regional and interregional transmission lines that are needed for a reliable and resilient grid; (3) much of the existing transmission infrastructure of the United States is in need of significant upgrade or replacement; (4) the energy sector of the United States is at a critical juncture, with a rapidly changing power generation mix and new public policy mandates; (5) it is imperative to proactively plan for electricity transmission in the future, including by taking into account long-term changes to demand and load growth; (6) renewable energy resources must be incorporated into the grid efficiently in order to meet State and Federal decarbonization goals; (7) the public desires, and has a right to, electricity data that are transparent, organized, and accessible; (8) having reliable and diverse sources of electricity generation is a foundational need for the entire economy; (9) climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of severe weather events that affect the grid; (10) it is in the national interest to implement policies that provide effective electric infrastructure to save consumers money, avoid preventable damage, ensure energy reliability, and save lives; (11) the Federal Government has a responsibility to combat rising transmission costs and ensure customers receive just and reasonable rates for electricity