HR 1047119th CongressIn Committee

GRID Power Act

Introduced: Feb 6, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12] (R-Ohio)

Infrastructure

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The GRID Power Act directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to reform how new power plants connect to the electrical grid by allowing "dispatchable power" projects—those that can provide reliable, on-demand electricity—to move ahead in line. Currently, power projects wait in interconnection queues that can take years to process. This bill would enable transmission providers to prioritize projects that improve grid reliability and resource adequacy, potentially allowing coal, natural gas, nuclear, and other dispatchable power plants to connect faster than intermittent sources like wind and solar. The legislation aims to address concerns about grid stability as the energy mix changes and demand increases.

Key Points

1Requires FERC to initiate rulemaking within 90 days and finalize regulations within 180 days to reform interconnection queue procedures
2Authorizes transmission providers to submit proposals to FERC for adjusting their interconnection queues to prioritize dispatchable power projects
3Requires transmission providers to demonstrate need for prioritization and explain how it will improve grid reliability or resilience before moving projects forward
4Mandates public comment periods and stakeholder engagement before queue adjustment proposals are submitted to FERC
5Requires FERC to approve or deny queue adjustment proposals within 60 days and review regulations every 5 years

Impact Areas

Electric power generators: Dispatchable power projects (natural gas, coal, nuclear, hydroelectric) would gain potential priority access to grid interconnection over variable renewable sourcesRenewable energy developers: Wind and solar projects could face longer wait times if dispatchable projects are moved ahead in interconnection queuesElectric grid operators and utilities: Would gain flexibility to prioritize projects based on reliability needs but must justify decisions through public processesElectricity consumers: Could benefit from improved grid reliability and stability, though the impact on electricity costs would depend on which types of generation are prioritized

Generated by claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929 on Oct 2, 2025