Bill Summary
The "Promoting Opportunities to Widen Electrical Resilience Act of 2025" (POWER Act of 2025) amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to enhance support for electric utilities in mitigating hazards. Specifically, the legislation allows electric utilities to undertake cost-effective hazard mitigation activities in conjunction with emergency power restoration efforts funded by federal assistance. Moreover, it ensures that receiving emergency restoration assistance does not disqualify these utilities from receiving additional hazard mitigation support for which they are eligible. This amendment aims to improve the resilience of electrical infrastructure against disasters by facilitating both restoration and proactive hazard mitigation efforts. The provisions apply to funds appropriated after the act's enactment.
Possible Impacts
The "Promoting Opportunities to Widen Electrical Resilience Act of 2025" (POWER Act of 2025) could affect people in several ways:
1. **Improved Electrical Reliability**: By authorizing electric utilities to undertake hazard mitigation activities alongside power restoration efforts, the legislation may lead to more durable infrastructure. This means that communities could experience fewer power outages, especially during extreme weather events, enhancing overall safety and quality of life for residents.
2. **Financial Support for Utilities**: The ability for electric utilities to receive additional federal assistance for hazard mitigation could reduce the financial burden on these companies. As utilities implement more effective mitigation strategies, this can lead to lower operational costs over time, potentially resulting in reduced electricity rates for consumers.
3. **Enhanced Emergency Preparedness**: With the focus on hazard mitigation activities, communities may become better prepared for disasters. This can include improvements in local infrastructure, such as stronger power lines and better emergency response capabilities, which not only protect the electric grid but also safeguard public health and safety during emergencies. Residents may feel more secure knowing that their utility companies are taking proactive steps to mitigate risks.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1429 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1429
To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act to authorize Federal agencies to provide certain
essential assistance for hazard mitigation for electric utilities, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 10, 2025
Mr. Lankford (for himself, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Wicker, Mr.
Kim, and Mr. Mullin) introduced the following bill; which was read
twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act to authorize Federal agencies to provide certain
essential assistance for hazard mitigation for electric utilities, 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 ``Promoting Opportunities to Widen
Electrical Resilience Act of 2025'' or the ``POWER Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. ESSENTIAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(e) Electric Utilities.--
``(1) Hazard mitigation activities.--An electric utility
may carry out cost-effective hazard mitigation activities
jointly or otherwise in combination with activities for the
restoration of power carried out with assistance provided under
this section.
``(2) Eligibility for additional assistance.--In any case
in which an electric utility facility receives assistance under
this section for the emergency restoration of power, the
receipt of such assistance shall not render such facility
ineligible for any hazard mitigation assistance under section
406 for which such facility is otherwise eligible.''.
(b) Applicability.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall only
apply to amounts appropriated on or after the date of enactment of this
Act.
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