Bill · S. 5199· Senate(119-S-5199)
GRID Savings Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 7/30/2026
- Last activity
- 7/30/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Martin Heinrich
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "GRID Savings Act of 2026," seeks to amend the Federal Power Act to clarify the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's jurisdiction over connecting large electric loads to the transmission system. It specifically targets "covered large loads," which are new or expanded nonresidential electric loads with a peak demand of at least 150 megawatts. The legislation directs the Commission to establish specific standards and procedures for these interconnections, including study processes and cost classifications. It aims to regulate how costs for facilities and network upgrades are assigned to these large customers. Ultimately, the bill establishes rules to manage the integration of large-scale electricity demands into the existing power grid.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+7
The bill mandates disclosure of facility classifications, costs, and allocation methods.
Does this give the federal government more power?+5
The bill clarifies and expands FERC's jurisdiction over the interconnection of large loads.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+5
The bill protects existing ratepayers from speculative or duplicative interconnection costs.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-2
Large-scale industrial customers face significant new costs and financial security requirements.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection from Speculative Costs: The bill requires the study process to include procedures that protect other customers from the costs of speculative or duplicative interconnection requests. (Section 2(d)(1)(A))
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Customer Choice in Interconnection: The rules would require that the study process identifies reasonable alternatives and presents them to the covered large-load customer, allowing them to elect among these alternatives. (Section 2(d)(1)(B))
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Cost Reductions via Voluntary Funding: The bill includes a mechanism where a covered large-load customer can voluntarily fund regional or interregional transmission facilities, which shall reduce the costs otherwise allocated through standard cost allocation methods. (Section 2(e)(2)(A))
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Increased Transparency: The act mandates the disclosure of facility classifications, estimated and final costs, and cost allocation methods to the customer, State commissions, and the Commission. (Section 2(d)(4))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Security Requirements: The bill requires the establishment of financial security to protect customers from unrecovered costs if a covered large load fails to proceed or perform. (Section 2(d)(3)(A)(ii))
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Direct Cost Responsibility: Under the proposed rules, 100 percent of the costs for Interconnection Facilities and Direct Assignment Facilities must be directly assigned to and fully borne by the applicable covered large-load customer. (Section 2(d)(2)(B)(i-ii))
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+7Increases Federal Power+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For Business Owners-2
- 9/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/30/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Introduced in Senate
Catherine Cortez MastoDemocrat · Nevada
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois