Sponsor
W. Greg Steube
Representative · R-FL
Representative · R-FL
The bill improves grid cybersecurity and federal oversight by restricting certain foreign-linked remote-monitoring energy storage imports, but does so at the cost of higher expenses, potential delays to storage deployment and renewables integration, and increased legal and compliance burdens for importers and suppliers.
Utilities and other critical infrastructure operators face reduced risk of foreign-controlled remote access to energy storage systems, lowering potential cyberattack vectors against the grid.
Electricity consumers and grid operators could see improved grid reliability if removing risky foreign remote-access vectors reduces outages or disruption to energy storage assets.
Federal enforcement and oversight would be strengthened through CBP regulation, recurring reviews, and mandated Commerce/Energy/DHS reporting to Congress (including classified annexes), enabling quicker identification and interdiction of prohibited imports.
Utilities, electricity consumers, and taxpayers could face higher costs and slower deployment of energy storage if restricted imports must be replaced by more expensive or slower-to-scale domestic alternatives, potentially delaying renewables integration and raising electricity prices during the transition.
Importers, installers, and small businesses that supply or rely on covered storage products could suffer lost sales, supply-chain disruptions, and new compliance costs if current products are barred or availability is constrained.
Importers face significant legal and financial exposure from criminal penalties (up to 5 years and $250,000 per shipment) for bringing in prohibited items, including risks for businesses that unknowingly import covered products.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Bans imports of energy storage systems with remote monitoring if built with PRC/CCP-controlled or PRC-licensed technology; mandates CBP rules, reporting, and penalties.
Official title: To prohibit the importation of certain energy storage systems made by entities within the People's Republic of China, and for other purposes.
Introduced February 20, 2026 by W. Greg Steube · Last progress February 20, 2026
Prohibits importing energy storage systems with remote monitoring features if those systems were manufactured using technology owned or controlled by entities organized under PRC law or under the control of the Chinese Communist Party. Requires Customs and Border Protection to issue implementing regulations quickly, mandates Commerce (with Energy and Homeland Security) to report to Congress for up to six years, and creates criminal penalties for violations.