Power Plant Reliability Act of 2025
Congress Proposes Requiring 5-Year Notice Before Power Plants Close to Prevent Electricity Shortages
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
222–202
Key Points
- Power plant owners would be required to give the government a five-year heads-up before closing any unit that produces electricity. This notice is intended to help officials plan for the future and make sure there is enough power to go around for homes and businesses.
- If a state or power organization warns that an electricity shortage is coming within the next five years, the federal government can order a power plant to stay open. These orders can last for five years and can be extended if the electricity is still needed to prevent blackouts.
- To make this fair for the companies, the government would set rates to pay power plant owners for the extra costs of staying open. This ensures that the businesses are compensated for the expenses of running a facility they originally planned to shut down.
- In a major change, if a power plant is ordered to stay open and violates environmental laws as a result, the owners would be protected from lawsuits or fines. This part of the plan prioritizes keeping the lights on over certain pollution rules during times when the power grid is at risk.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
Homeowners could benefit from greater grid reliability, reducing the risk of blackouts and power outages that can damage property and disrupt daily life. However, the cost of keeping aging power plants running would be passed along through electricity rates, which could mean higher monthly bills. The environmental exemption provision could also mean dirtier air in communities near plants that are forced to stay open.
Disabilities
State Impacts
Milestones
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 222 - 202 (Roll no. 342). (text: CR H5927-5928)
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 222 - 202 (Roll no. 342). (text: CR H5927-5928)
The House of Representatives voted to approve this bill. It now goes to the Senate.
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 207 - 218 (Roll no. 341).
Vote Results
2 votesOn Motion to Recommit
Related News
2 articlesHouse approves bill to keep coal plants on the grid
The House passed the Power Plant Reliability Act (H.R. 3632), which grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission broad authority to require utilities to continue operating power plants if their retirement threatens grid reliability. The bill passed 222-202 with support from moderate Democrats.
House GOP sets vote on bills to boost 'reliable' energy
House leadership scheduled votes on the Power Plant Reliability Act and the Reliable Power Act as part of a campaign to bolster fossil fuel and nuclear generation. The legislation aims to address surging electricity demand from AI data centers and prevent what Republicans call premature retirements.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Power Plant Reliability Act of 2025
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(4)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.