The House of Representatives has passed two bills aimed at strengthening the security and reliability of the nation’s power grid. The legislation was advanced by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, with key roles played by Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the committee; Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health; and Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-12), Vice-Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
H.R. 3616, known as the Reliable Power Act, was introduced by Congressman Balderson. This bill is designed to improve federal rulemaking processes to ensure that future regulations affecting power generation do not negatively impact electric reliability, particularly in regions susceptible to blackouts.
H.R. 3632, called the Power Plant Reliability Act and led by Congressman Griffith, enhances existing provisions under the Federal Power Act. It gives states and grid operators greater ability to contest plans for closing power plants in neighboring states if such closures could affect grid reliability. The act also requires power plants to give a five-year notice before retiring.
Chairman Guthrie stated: “To support reliable and affordable electricity for hard-working American families, we cannot afford to take baseload power offline or burden our grid with misguided regulations that prevent delivery of 365/24/7 power to our communities. The Power Plant Reliability Act enhances the tools available to states and grid operators to keep vital power plants operational and prevent blackouts. Further, the Reliable Power Act ensures that red tape and federal rulemaking will no longer harm electric reliability, especially in communities that are at risk of potential blackouts. The ongoing reliability crisis facing our nation has been caused by Democrat policies designed to drive out baseload power in favor of wind and solar that cannot meet our current needs. Thank you to Chairman Griffith and Congressman Balderson for leading this critical legislation to strengthen our grid and lower electricity prices.”
Congressman Griffith added: “Because of radical ‘Green New Deal’ policies that shun reliable forms of energy like natural gas, coal and nuclear, our electric grid faces a brewing crisis of premature baseload power plant retirements. My bill, the Power Plant Reliability Act, will help shield Americans from blackout threats and ensure the reliable delivery of power to American homes, factories, and communities. Thanks to strong leaders like Speaker Johnson, Leader Scalise, Whip Emmer, Chairwoman McClain, Chairman Guthrie and Chairwoman Foxx, the United States Congress is focused on supporting affordable and reliable energy solutions for the American people.”
Congressman Balderson said: “America is facing a reliability crisis–one made worse by the last administration’s regulatory chaos and radical climate agenda. After unelected bureaucrats spent years waging war on American energy, President Trump and his Administration have finally reined in agency overreach and restored energy dominance as a national priority. The Reliable Power Act puts common-sense guardrails in place so families aren’t left facing blackouts, price spikes, or uncertainty every time they flip a switch.”
The background provided indicates that H.R. 3632 allows states or regional operators more authority over cross-border plant closures when these might threaten local supply stability; it also mandates extended advance notice before shutdowns occur.
H.R. 3616 addresses concerns about rolling blackouts linked with increased reliance on renewable sources like wind or solar energy by requiring additional review from FERC before any new federal rules impacting generation during high-risk periods can be enacted.
