Bill · S. 5074· Senate(119-S-5074)
Enhancing Electric Grid Resilience Act
- Introduced
- 7/22/2026
- Last activity
- 7/22/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Peter Welch
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Enhancing Electric Grid Resilience Act," seeks to amend the Federal Power Act. It aims to authorize the allocation of costs for specific electric power transmission lines. These lines can be interstate or located offshore. The bill specifically targets transmission facilities of national significance. This includes new lines with a capacity of at least 1,000 megawatts or upgrades that increase capacity by at least 500 megawatts.
Yes
Is this likely to grow the economy?+3
The bill facilitates the construction of high-capacity transmission lines which can support broader economic activity.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+2
The bill specifically includes environmental benefits as a factor for cost allocation of major transmission lines.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+2
The expansion of high-capacity transmission lines can improve energy reliability for rural areas.
The opposite
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?-1
The mandate to allocate costs to regional customers could lead to higher utility bills for low-income households.
Would middle-income households be better off under this?-1
Cost allocation for large-scale transmission projects may increase electricity costs for middle-income consumers.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Cost Allocation based on Benefits: Under Section 2, paragraph (a)(3), the Commission would require that costs be allocated based on a broad range of anticipated benefits, including reliability, economic, public policy, resilience, and environmental benefits. This ensures that the reasons for building these lines are considered when determining who pays.
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Fairness in Cost Distribution: Section 2, paragraph (a)(2) establishes a "cost causation principle." This requires that costs for a transmission facility of national significance be allocated to customers in a way that is at least roughly commensurate with the estimated anticipated benefits they receive.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Increased Costs for Specific Customers: According to Section 2, paragraph (a)(2), costs for transmission facilities of national significance will be allocated to customers within applicable transmission planning regions. Depending on the anticipated benefits, this could result in specific customer groups being responsible for these costs.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+2Good For Low Income Households-1Good For Middle Class Households-1
- 7/22/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.