State Energy Accountability Act

The State Energy Accountability Act would amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to add a new requirement for state regulators. If a state implements an intermittent energy policy, its regulatory authority must conduct and publicly share a general evaluation of how that policy affects the reliability of the state’s electric system, the ability of compliant resources to meet demand during emergencies or extreme conditions, electricity rates, the replacement of removed reliable facilities, and the use of out-of-state energy sources to maintain reliability. States must decide whether to adopt this standard within one year of enactment, and once a determination is made, publish the evaluation within set timeframes. The bill also provides definitions for terms like “bulk-power system,” “intermittent energy policy,” and “reliable generation facility,” grounding the assessment in specific reliability criteria (e.g., 30 days of continuous operation, fuel supply considerations, and essential stability services). In short, the act would require state regulators to formally evaluate and publicly report how intermittent energy policies affect grid reliability, prices, and replacement needs, and to decide within a year whether to apply this reliability standard.