Utility Resilience and Reliability Act

Bill: 116-hr-7186
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-5]
Introduced: 2020-06-11
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Electric power generation and transmission

Emergency planning and evacuation

Government information and archives

Government studies and investigations

Public utilities and utility rates

State and local government operations
Latest action: action_date: 2020-06-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-06-11
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Utility Resilience and Reliability Act</b></p> <p>This bill addresses the reliability of electric energy provided by the bulk-power system, which includes facilities and control systems necessary for operating an interconnected electric energy transmission network.</p> <p>Specifically, the Electric Reliability Organization must file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission a proposed reliability standard that addresses the resilience of the bulk-power system. For example, the standard must address the system's ability to withstand and rapidly recover from disruptions, such as extreme weather conditions. The standard must take into account regional differences.</p> <p>In addition, the Department of Energy (DOE) must establish a program to provide information and recommendations to states and electric utilities on how to improve the resilience of electric grids. DOE must also post on its website a report that provides recommendations on how to minimize the need for, effects of, and duration of planned electric power outages that are due to extreme weather conditions.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7186 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 11, 2020 Mr. Thompson of California (for himself, Mr. Bera , Mr. DeSaulnier , Ms. Eshoo , Mr. Huffman , Mr. Khanna , Mr. LaMalfa , Ms. Lofgren , Ms. Matsui , Mr. Panetta , and Mr. Swalwell of California ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To amend the Federal Power Act to require the Electric Reliability Organization to propose a reliability standard that addresses the resilience of the bulk-power system, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Utility Resilience and Reliability Act . 2. Proposed reliability standard Section 215(d) of the Federal Power Act ( 16 U.S.C. 824o(d) ) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (7) Resilience of bulk-power system (A) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Electric Reliability Organization shall file with the Commission a proposed reliability standard that addresses the resilience of the bulk-power system. (B) Regional differences The proposed reliability standard filed under subsection (A) shall take into account regional differences. (C) Resilience defined In this paragraph, the term resilience means the ability to— (i) prepare for and adapt to changing conditions; and (ii) withstand and rapidly recover from disruptions, including disruptions caused by extreme weather conditions. . 3. Electric grid resilience education program (a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Energy shall establish a program to provide information and recommendations to States and electric utilities on how to improve the resilience of electric grids. (b) Electric utility defined The term electric utility has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Federal Power Act ( 16 U.S.C. 796 ). 4. Report on planned electric power outages due to extreme weather conditions Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Energy shall submit to Congress a report, and publish such report on the website of the Department of Energy, that provides recommendations on how to minimize the need for, effects of, and duration of planned electric power outages that are due to extreme weather conditions, including such conditions under which the National Weather Service issues a red flag warning.