This book discusses electric power transmission and related policy issues. Transmission is a prominent federal issue because of a perceived need to improve reliability and reduce costs, transmission's role in meeting national energy goals (such as increased use of renewable electricity), and the potential efficiency advantages of "smart grid" modernisation. Proposals before the 111th Congress for changing federal transmission law and regulations to meet these and other objectives include the Clean Renewable Energy and Economic Development Act and the majority staff transmission siting draft of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Transmission development and regulation are complex and sometimes contentious policy areas and this book reviews transmission planning and permitting, financing and cost allocation, system modernisation and the smart grid and transmission system reliability.