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Congress·In Committee·3 months ago

Congress Targets $50M a Year to Add Solar and Battery Backup at Community Health Centers

Also known as: CHARGE Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Positive Impacts(4)
Medicaid
Helps
Chronic Illness
Helps
Small Business Owner
Helps
Gig Worker
Helps

Key Points

  • Congress would direct the Energy Department to create a grant program within 180 days to help community health centers add solar power and energy storage.
  • Eligible applicants would include state/local governments, the health centers themselves, certain nonprofits that represent them, and provider networks controlled by them.
  • Grant money could only be used for projects like installing solar panels or battery backup systems, or getting technical help to plan, install, and run them.
  • The bill would authorize $50 million per year from 2026 through 2030 to fund these projects.
  • For patients, this could mean clinics are more likely to keep lights on, store medicines safely, and stay open during outages or grid problems.
Renewable EnergyHealthcareEnergyInfrastructure

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Nov 21, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Nov 21, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 180 days after the bill becomes law

Department of Energy sets up the CHARGE grant program

Once the program is created, clinics, clinic networks, and state/local governments can start preparing to apply for funding to add solar panels and battery backup.

Soon after the program is established (weeks to a few months)

Grant application process opens (forms, deadlines, and rules are posted)

Eligible applicants can submit proposals for solar and/or energy storage projects for one or more FQHC sites.

Several months after applications open, depending on funding and review speed

First grant awards are announced

Winning clinics and partners can sign contracts, schedule construction, and order equipment like panels, inverters, and batteries.

After grants are awarded and contracts are signed

Solar and battery installations begin at selected clinics

Construction work may briefly affect parking/clinic flow, but clinics move toward having backup power and lower electricity costs.

After systems are installed and tested

Clinics start using solar and storage during outages and peak-price times

Patients are less likely to face canceled visits due to power loss; clinics can keep lights, refrigeration, and some medical equipment running.

Each federal budget year for FY2026 through FY2030

Annual funding decisions for FY2026–FY2030 determine how many projects happen

If Congress funds the program each year, more clinics can be upgraded; if not, the program may run smaller or pause.

Related News

3 articles
Ripon Advance·3 months ago

Valadao’s CHARGE Act would ensure electricity for federally qualified health centers

Covers H.R. 6281 (CHARGE Act of 2025) creating a DOE grant program for FQHC solar + energy storage, including the $50M/year authorization and eligible applicants.

CR+
Quiver Quantitative (CongressRadar)·3 months ago

Press Release: Valadao and Smith Introduce CHARGE Act to Enhance Energy Resiliency for Health Centers in Underserved Communities

Aggregates/republishes a congressional press release describing the CHARGE Act’s DOE grant program concept, focusing on resilience at federally qualified health centers via solar + storage.

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Quiver Quantitative (CongressRadar)·3 months ago

Press Release: Smith and Valadao Introduce Bipartisan CHARGE Act to Enhance Energy Resilience for Community Health Centers

Republishes/AI-summarizes a press release describing H.R. 6281 (CHARGE Act of 2025), including proposed $50M/year funding (2026–2030) for solar + battery projects at FQHCs.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

CHARGE Act of 2025

Bill NumberHR 6281
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(4)
D: 1R: 3

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.