Bill · S. 5159· Senate(119-S-5159)
STRONG GRID Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 7/29/2026
- Last activity
- 7/29/2026 — 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 "STRONG GRID Act of 2026," aims to amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to support microgrids. It directs states to consider creating regulatory frameworks for connecting microgrids to the electric grid and establishing standards to measure the benefits of grid resilience investments. The legislation establishes an Electric Grid Resilience Program to provide competitive grants to state energy offices for microgrid deployment. It also creates a pilot program for the Secretary of Energy to fund projects that demonstrate innovative microgrid applications. Additionally, the bill authorizes technical assistance for utilities, regulators, and other stakeholders to facilitate microgrid adoption.
Yes· 3 of 11
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?+7
The bill provides funding and support for microgrids that include renewable energy resources.
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?+5
The bill supports the deployment of renewable energy resources through microgrid innovation and incentives.
Does this invest in rural communities?+5
The bill prioritizes microgrid projects that primarily benefit rural areas.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Energy Resilience: States are encouraged to establish standards to evaluate how investments can improve the resilience of the electric grid, specifically regarding essential services and required service levels (Section 2(a)(23)(A)(i)).
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Support for Vulnerable Communities: The Electric Grid Resilience Program gives priority to projects that primarily benefit low-income communities and rural areas (Section 4(a)(d)(3)(F)).
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Microgrid Deployment Grants: State energy offices can award competitive grants to support various microgrid activities, including needs assessments, engineering, construction, and maintenance (Section 4(a)(d)(2)).
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Technical Assistance and Education: The Secretary is tasked with providing technical assistance to help entities adopt microgrids and hosting workshops and roundtables to provide education on the benefits and management of microgrid systems (Section 5(b) and 5(e)).
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Innovation through Pilot Programs: A pilot program is established to fund projects demonstrating innovative microgrid applications, such as those using renewable energy resources or managing voltage instability (Section 6(b) and 6(d)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Exclusion of Defense Installations: Military and other defense installations operated by the Department of Defense are not subject to the standards or methodologies established for evaluating the benefits of investments in grid resilience (Section 2(a)(23)(B)).
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Financial Burden on Grant Recipients: Entities receiving a grant through the Electric Grid Resilience Program are required to provide at least 25 percent of the project cost (Section 4(a)(d)(4)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Increases Renewable Energy Investment+7Improves Rural Development+5Reduces Carbon Emissions+5Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+4
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Rural Residents+5
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+4Improves Data Privacy+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Privacy Rights+3Increases Federal Power+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+5
- 7/29/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Introduced in Senate