Bill Summary
The "Guaranteeing Reliability through the Interconnection of Dispatchable Power Act," or "GRID Power Act," aims to reform the interconnection queue process managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The legislation requires FERC to initiate a rulemaking process within 90 days of enactment to improve how interconnection requests for new dispatchable power projects are handled. These projects are crucial for enhancing grid reliability and resource adequacy.
Key provisions of the Act include:
1. **Prioritization of Projects**: Transmission providers can propose adjustments to the interconnection queue to prioritize dispatchable power projects that enhance grid reliability. This involves assigning these projects higher positions in the queue.
2. **Demonstration of Need**: Proposals for prioritization must include evidence of the need for the project and how it will contribute to grid reliability and resilience.
3. **Public Engagement**: Transmission providers must allow for public comment and stakeholder engagement on their proposals before submission to FERC.
4. **Timely Review Process**: FERC is mandated to review and respond to these proposals within 60 days, ensuring quick action on issues related to grid reliability.
5. **Regular Reporting and Reviews**: Transmission providers are required to report on grid reliability and resilience regularly, and FERC must review and update the regulations at least every five years to keep pace with evolving challenges.
Overall, the GRID Power Act seeks to streamline the process for integrating new energy resources into the electrical grid, thereby enhancing its reliability and resilience against disruptions.
Possible Impacts
The "Guaranteeing Reliability through the Interconnection of Dispatchable Power Act" (GRID Power Act) could affect people in the following ways:
1. **Improved Energy Reliability**: By prioritizing the interconnection of dispatchable power projects, the legislation aims to enhance grid reliability. This means that individuals and businesses could experience fewer power outages and more stable electricity supply. As a result, daily activities, productivity, and overall quality of life could improve, as residents would have greater confidence in the availability of electricity.
2. **Quicker Deployment of Renewable Energy Projects**: The reform of the interconnection queue process could lead to faster approval and connection of renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar farms. This could promote the growth of clean energy in local communities, potentially lowering energy costs for consumers and creating new job opportunities in renewable energy sectors, ultimately benefiting the economy and the environment.
3. **Increased Public Engagement and Transparency**: The requirement for transmission providers to engage in public comment and stakeholder engagement before submitting proposals to prioritize projects fosters a more inclusive decision-making process. This could empower communities to voice their concerns and interests regarding energy projects that may affect them directly, leading to better-informed policies and potentially more community-friendly energy solutions.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1047 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1047
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 19 (legislative day, September 16), 2025
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reform the
interconnection queue process for the prioritization and approval of
certain projects, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Guaranteeing Reliability through the
Interconnection of Dispatchable Power Act'' or the ``GRID Power Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Bulk-power system.--The term ``bulk-power system'' has
the meaning given the term in section 215(a) of the Federal
Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824o(a)).
(2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission.
(3) Dispatchable power.--The term ``dispatchable power''
means an electric energy generation resource capable of
providing known and forecastable electric supply in time
intervals necessary to ensure grid reliability.
(4) Grid reliability.--The term ``grid reliability'' means
the ability of the electric grid to deliver an adequate,
secure, and stable flow of electricity in the quantity and with
the quality demanded by users, taking into account the ability
of the bulk-power system to withstand sudden disturbances.
(5) Grid resilience.--The term ``grid resilience'' means
the ability of the electric grid to adapt to changing physical
conditions and withstand and rapidly recover from significant
disturbances, including natural disasters, cyber-attacks, and
other unforeseen events.
(6) Independent system operator.--The term ``Independent
System Operator'' has the meaning given the term in section 3
of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 796).
(7) Regional transmission organization.--The term
``Regional Transmission Organization'' has the meaning given
the term in section 3 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 796).
(8) Resource adequacy.--The term ``resource adequacy''
means the ability of the electric system to meet the aggregate
electrical demand and energy requirements of end-use customers
at all times, accounting for scheduled and reasonably expected
unscheduled outages of bulk-power system components.
(9) Transmission provider.--The term ``transmission
provider'' means--
(A) a public utility (as defined in section 201(e)
of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824(e))) that owns,
operates, or controls 1 or more transmission
facilities;
(B) an Independent System Operator; and
(C) a Regional Transmission Organization.
SEC. 3. RULEMAKING TO IMPROVE INTERCONNECTION QUEUE FLEXIBILITY.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Commission shall initiate a rulemaking--
(1) to address the inefficiencies and ineffectiveness of
existing procedures for processing interconnection requests to
ensure that new dispatchable power projects that improve grid
reliability and resource adequacy can interconnect to the
electric grid quickly, cost-effectively, and reliably; and
(2) to amend the pro forma Large Generator Interconnection
Procedures and, as appropriate, the pro forma Large Generator
Interconnection Agreement, promulgated pursuant to section
35.28(f) of title 18, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor
regulations)--
(A) to authorize transmission providers to submit
proposals to the Commission to adjust the
interconnection queue of the transmission provider to
prioritize new dispatchable power projects that will
improve grid reliability and resource adequacy by
assigning those projects higher positions in the
interconnection queue; and
(B) to require transmission providers--
(i) to provide in any proposal described in
subparagraph (A)--
(I) a demonstration of need for
prioritization of the relevant
projects; and
(II) a description of how the
prioritization of those projects will
improve grid reliability or grid
resilience;
(ii) to provide a process for public
comment and stakeholder engagement before a
proposal described in subparagraph (A) is
submitted to the Commission; and
(iii) to provide regular reporting to the
Commission on the state of grid reliability and
grid resilience, including reporting on any
actions taken pursuant to this Act.
(b) Commission Approval.--To ensure timely responses to grid
reliability concerns, not later than 60 days after a proposal is
submitted pursuant to subsection (a)(2), the Commission shall--
(1) review the proposal; and
(2) approve or deny the proposal.
(c) Deadline for Final Rule.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall promulgate final
regulations to complete the rulemaking initiated under subsection (a).
(d) Periodic Review.--Not less frequently than once every 5 years,
the Commission shall review and, if necessary, update the regulations
promulgated under this section to ensure that those regulations remain
effective and relevant to evolving grid reliability and grid resilience
challenges.
Passed the House of Representatives September 18, 2025.
Attest:
KEVIN F. MCCUMBER,
Clerk.