How Regulations Evolved
Electric Transmission Grid Timeline

1900:  Early 1900's:  Investor owned and public utilities acquire right-of-way and construct first transmission lines.
Late 1920's:  Federal government assumes jurisdiction over transmission lines crossing overstate boundaries.
1935:  Congress expands authority of Federal Power Commission and limits where utilities can operate and expand.
1960's:  First regional interconnects created after the massive November 1965 Northeast blackout.
1977:  A blackout in New York City forced new standards of reliability on grid operations.
1978:  Independent power producers given access to the grid
1992:  Congress deregulates the wholesale power generation system, opening up competition among electricity producers.  Requires transmission owners to allow use of the grid at fair prices to these wholesale power producers.