Baseload Reliability Protection Act
House Bill Would Block Power Plant Closures in High-Risk Grid Regions
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- Would block owners from closing certain “always-available” power plants, or switching their fuel, in grid regions flagged as high risk for power shortages.
- Applies only in regions run by big grid operators, and only to dispatchable plants 25 megawatts or larger that are not mainly powered by intermittent renewables.
- Lets plant owners ask the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for an exemption within 90 days after a risk report, with decisions generally due in 90 days (or 180 days for money-loss claims).
- If a plant is losing money but is needed for reliability, the Energy Department could give a loan or grant to keep it running; taking that help means the exemption request is treated as denied.
- Tells regulators not to consider a plant’s greenhouse gas emissions when deciding exemptions, and provides some protection from certain environmental-law spending while the ban is in place.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
How this policy affects specific groups of people
Milestones
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
2 articlesME FIRST — COVERING YOUR BASELOAD
Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R-N.D.) is introducing the Baseload Reliability Protection Act to prevent the premature retirement of baseload sources like coal, nuclear and natural gas plants in regions identified by NERC as being at elevated or high risk of electricity supply shortfalls.
Federal Power Act amendments focus on grid reliability
The Baseload Reliability Protection Act aims to prohibit retirements of baseload electric generating units in areas served by RTOs or ISOs that NERC categorizes as at high risk of supply shortfalls. It provides exemptions when continued operation poses safety risks or is not economically viable.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Baseload Reliability Protection Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
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