Skip to content
Congress·Passed House·5 months ago

Congress Moves to Fast-Track Reliable Power Plants to Prevent Grid Blackouts

Also known as: GRID Power Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
✓ Review
✓ House

216–206

Senate
President

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Key Points

  • This bill requires federal energy regulators to change the rules for how new power plants join the electric grid. Currently, there is a massive waiting list for new projects to get connected, and this plan aims to move certain types of power plants to the front of the line.
  • The focus is on 'dispatchable power,' which refers to energy sources that can be turned on or off whenever they are needed. This typically includes sources like natural gas, coal, or nuclear power, which help keep the lights on even when weather-dependent sources like solar and wind are not producing electricity.
  • Companies that manage the power grid would be allowed to ask the government for permission to jump these reliable projects ahead of others in the waiting list. They must provide evidence that prioritizing these specific projects will make the grid more stable and less likely to experience blackouts.
  • The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission must start writing these new rules within 90 days of the bill becoming law. Once a grid operator submits a plan to prioritize a project, the government has 60 days to approve or deny it to ensure the process stays on track.
Energy EnvironmentInfrastructure Transportation

Milestones

6 milestones20 actions
Sep 19, 2025Senate

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sep 18, 2025House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Sep 18, 2025House

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 216 - 206 (Roll no. 279). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4433)

Sep 18, 2025

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 216 - 206 (Roll no. 279). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4433-4434: 1)

Sep 18, 2025House

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4444)

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 90 days of the bill becoming law

FERC must begin writing new rules to prioritize dispatchable power in the interconnection queue

The formal process of changing how new power plants get connected to the grid kicks off, though the rules won't be final yet

Within 180 days of the bill becoming law

FERC must finalize the new interconnection queue rules

Grid operators can start submitting proposals to move reliable power plants to the front of the connection waiting list, potentially reducing years-long delays for those projects

Vote Results

1 vote
HousePassedPassageSep 18, 2025

On Passage

216
206
Democrat
5 – 205 · 3
Republican
211 – 1 · 6
View full roll call

Related News

5 articles
Politico·about 1 year ago

GOP bill seeks to expedite nuclear, coal and gas projects

Republicans in Congress introduced the GRID Power Act to boost gas, coal, and nuclear projects by pushing them to the front of the interconnection queue. The bill directs FERC to allow grid operators to prioritize 'dispatchable' power plants over a backlog of mostly wind and solar projects.

CL=
Politico·6 months ago

House sets vote on GOP pipeline, grid, coal bills

The House is slated to vote on the GRID Power Act, which allows energy projects deemed most reliable to bypass long interconnection queues. Democrats oppose the bill, arguing it lets fossil fuel projects bypass ready-to-go wind and solar projects.

CL~
Engineering News-Record·5 months ago

House Passes Bills Aimed at Streamlining Energy Project Permits

The GRID Power Act passed the U.S. House, directing FERC to initiate rulemaking to address inefficiencies in interconnection requests. Rep. Troy Balderson, the bill's sponsor, highlighted the growing demand for power to support AI data centers as a primary driver for the legislation.

C=

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

GRID Power Act

Bill NumberHR 1047
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(17)
R: 17

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.