Congressman Brett Guthrie, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, released a discussion draft of the POWER Act on July 23. The proposed legislation combines 19 Republican measures aimed at lowering energy costs, strengthening grid reliability, and expediting the construction of new energy projects.
According to Fox News, “House Republicans are staking out their position as congressional permitting talks heat up with a sweeping legislative package aimed at lowering energy costs, strengthening grid reliability and speeding up the construction of new energy projects.” The 96-page ‘Permitting Our Way to an Energy Resurgence (POWER) Act’ is described by Guthrie as a ‘discussion draft’ while feedback is gathered from lawmakers and industry stakeholders.
The bill seeks to streamline approvals for pipelines, transmission lines, power plants, and manufacturing projects. It also addresses increased electricity demand associated with artificial intelligence data centers. One provision requires data centers to bear the cost of grid upgrades rather than passing those expenses onto ratepayers. Another gives dispatchable power plants priority over intermittent sources like wind and solar in interconnection queues. The legislation would also expand federal regulators’ authority to keep power plants online and overhaul parts of the Clean Air Act.
Guthrie said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital, “To win the race to AI dominance, onshore jobs, and deliver reliable and affordable power for families, America needs a permitting system that works for their communities.” He continued: “The POWER Act cuts the red tape holding back American energy, protects hard-working families from higher electricity costs, and keeps the lights on for generations to come.” He added that months of collaboration among GOP committee members contributed to developing this package.
Among its provisions is Rep. Troy Balderson’s Reliable Power Act requiring federal agencies to submit major actions affecting electricity generation for review by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure grid reliability is not compromised. Another proposal from Rep. Gabe Evans would require large commercial electricity users—including data centers—to cover infrastructure upgrade costs themselves instead of shifting them onto consumers through utility rates. Evans said after his measure advanced out of committee, “America must build the energy infrastructure necessary to win the global AI race and outcompete adversaries like Communist China – but hardworking families should never be forced to subsidize that growth through higher electric bills.” The package also includes Evans’ FIRE Act shielding states from Clean Air Act penalties related to wildfire prevention efforts such as prescribed burns.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee focuses on legislation concerning energy policy along with health care issues, environmental protection measures, telecommunications regulation, and consumer affairs matters; it has influenced policy in areas including broadband deployment and pharmaceutical pricing. It stands as one of Congress’s oldest standing committees tracing its origins back to 1795 when it formed as the Committee on Commerce and Manufactures, according to the official website.