I think the point of the article was not that reconductoring is simple, but that it's easier than building new transmission capacity given the insane NIMBY veto

I think the point of the article was not that reconductoring is simple, but that it's easier than building new transmission capacity given the insane NIMBY vetocracy that makes such construction essentially impossible. It's a political fix, rather than a technical one. Personally my preferred solution would be permitting reform such that transmission capacity is approved and built by-right and NIMBYs can go pound sand if they don't like it, but you have to deal with the political landscape you have, not the one you want.