Bill Summary
The Next Generation Electric Systems Act of 2019 is a bill that was introduced in the United States Congress with the goal of directing the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program for the transformation of the electric grid. This legislation aims to modernize the electric grid by promoting the use of new technologies and improving its resiliency, performance, and efficiency. It defines eligible entities as partnerships between electric utilities, regional transmission organizations, independent system operators, and other entities such as institutions of higher education, national laboratories, and state or local governments. The bill also establishes a grant program for eligible projects, which may include the application of technologies to improve the distribution system, the integration and management of various energy resources, and the development of a cybersecurity plan. The bill also emphasizes community outreach and education as important components of these projects. The legislation authorizes a budget of $50 million per year for the implementation of this program for fiscal years 2020-2028.
Possible Impacts
1. Limited access to grant funding: People or organizations who do not fit the criteria of an eligible entity, as defined in Section 2 of the Act, may not be able to receive grant funding for their projects related to modernizing the electric grid. This could potentially limit the opportunities for certain individuals or groups to participate in the development of the electric grid.
2. Increased focus on cybersecurity and privacy: With the requirement for eligible projects to have a cybersecurity plan and privacy effects analysis, the Act could potentially lead to increased awareness and measures being taken to protect sensitive information and data related to the electric grid. This could affect individuals who work in the energy sector and are responsible for managing and maintaining the grid.
3. Improved communication and cooperation between different entities: The Act encourages partnerships between different entities, including electric utilities, educational institutions, and government bodies. This could lead to improved communication and cooperation between these groups, resulting in more efficient and effective modernization of the electric grid. This could ultimately benefit people by providing them with a more reliable and affordable power supply.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2380 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2380
To direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program for the
transformation of the electric grid, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 31, 2019
Ms. Hirono introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program for the
transformation of the electric grid, 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 ``Next Generation Electric Systems Act
of 2019''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means a
partnership consisting of 2 or more entities--
(A) 1 or more of which shall be--
(i) an electric utility (as defined in
section 3(22)(A) of the Federal Power Act (16
U.S.C. 796(22)(A)));
(ii) a Regional Transmission Organization
(as defined in section 3 of the Federal Power
Act (16 U.S.C. 796)); or
(iii) an Independent System Operator (as
defined in that section); and
(B) 1 or more of which may be--
(i) an institution of higher education (as
defined in section 101(a) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)));
(ii) a National Laboratory (as defined in
section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42
U.S.C. 15801));
(iii) a State or local government or other
public body created by or pursuant to State
law;
(iv) an Indian tribe (as defined in section
4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)) or
tribal organization (as defined in section 3765
of title 38, United States Code);
(v) a Federal power marketing
administration;
(vi) an entity that develops and provides
technology; or
(vii) an organization described in section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(2) Federal power marketing administration.--The term
``Federal power marketing administration'' means--
(A) the Bonneville Power Administration;
(B) the Southeastern Power Administration;
(C) the Southwestern Power Administration; and
(D) the Western Area Power Administration.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Energy.
SEC. 3. GRID MODERNIZATION TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a grant program
under which the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to
carry out eligible projects described in subsection (b) relating to the
modernization of the electric grid, including--
(1) projects for the application of technologies to improve
observability, stability, advanced controls, and prediction of
system performance on the distribution system; and
(2) projects relating to transmission system
interconnections.
(b) Eligible Projects.--An eligible project referred to in
subsection (a) is a demonstration project that--
(1) is designed to improve the resiliency, performance, and
efficiency of the future electric grid, while ensuring the
continued provision of safe, secure, reliable, and affordable
power;
(2) demonstrates secure integration and management of 2 or
more energy resources, including distributed energy generation,
combined heat and power, microgrids, energy storage, electric
vehicles, energy efficiency, demand response, intelligent
loads, and which may include resources behind the customer
meter;
(3) demonstrates secure integration and interoperability of
communications and information technologies relating to the
electric grid;
(4) includes the development of a cybersecurity plan
written in accordance with guidelines developed by the
Secretary;
(5) includes a privacy effects analysis that evaluates the
project in accordance with the Voluntary Code of Conduct of the
Department of Energy, commonly known as the ``DataGuard Energy
Data Privacy Program'', or the most recent revisions to the
privacy program of the Department of Energy; and
(6) satisfies the eligibility requirements described in
section 545(a) of the Energy Security and Independence Act of
2007 (42 U.S.C. 17155(a)).
(c) Community Outreach.--An eligible project carried out using a
grant awarded under subsection (a) may include education and outreach
with community-based organizations and other private sector entities to
help inform the objectives of the project and communicate the results
of the project.
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $50,000,000
to carry out this Act for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2028.
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