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Authorizes electric utilities to carry out cost‑effective hazard‑mitigation work at the same time they perform FEMA-funded emergency power restoration under the Stafford Act and clarifies that receiving emergency restoration assistance does not by itself bar a utility facility from later receiving hazard‑mitigation grants if otherwise eligible. The change applies only to funds appropriated on or after enactment.
The bill lets utilities add resilience upgrades to emergency restoration and use mitigation grants to reduce future outages and long‑term recovery costs, but it may increase near‑term federal spending, shift costs to ratepayers, and leave prior disaster sites without the same mitigation benefits.
Electric utilities and their customers — including rural communities and local governments — can add hazard‑mitigation upgrades during emergency power restoration, improving grid resilience and reducing future outage risk.
Taxpayers and ratepayers can benefit because federal disaster dollars are directed toward preventive investments that lower long‑term recovery costs and reduce future taxpayer outlays and utility recovery expenses.
Middle‑class families and rural customers could face higher electricity bills if utilities shift the incremental mitigation costs onto ratepayers.
Taxpayers could see increased near‑term federal spending from disaster appropriations if mitigation is added to emergency restoration projects, raising budgetary pressure.
Communities and local governments affected by earlier disasters may be excluded because the rule applies only to funds appropriated after enactment, creating uneven access to mitigation benefits.
Introduced April 10, 2025 by James Lankford · Last progress April 10, 2025