Updated 2 days ago
Last progress December 15, 2025 (1 month ago)
Last progress May 1, 2025 (8 months ago)
Introduced on May 1, 2025 by Gabe Evans
Requires utilities that use integrated resource planning to include a new 10-year reliability standard and directs States and nonregulated utilities to consider and adopt (or decline) that standard within set timeframes. It defines a “reliable generation facility” by technical criteria—30 days continuous generation on stored or contracted fuel, operation in emergencies and severe weather, and provision of frequency and voltage support—and adds a limited exception for States that already addressed the matter before enactment. The change amends the planning requirements in the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act so integrated resource plans must account for multi-year reliability measures, and it establishes deadlines and procedural steps for State regulatory bodies and nonregulated utilities to respond to the new standard.
Add a new paragraph (22) to section 111(d) of PURPA requiring each electric utility that uses integrated resource planning to establish measures, as part of that planning, sufficient to ensure the reliable availability of electric energy over a 10-year period to maintain either (i) operation of reliable generation facilities or (ii) procurement of electric energy from reliable generation facilities.
Define the term “reliable generation facility” as an electric generation facility that ensures reliable availability of electric energy by meeting listed criteria (see following items).
Reliable generation facility must have operational characteristics that enable generation of electric energy on a continuous basis for a period of not fewer than 30 days.
Reliable generation facility must have either (I) adequate fuel, or a continuously available energy source, on-site to enable continuous generation for not fewer than 30 days, or (II) contractual obligations that ensure adequate fuel supply to achieve continuous generation for not fewer than 30 days.
Reliable generation facility must have operational characteristics to enable generation of electric energy during emergency and severe weather conditions.
Who is affected and how:
Utilities and generation owners: Electric generators and utilities that rely on integrated resource planning will need to assess and, where necessary, modify resources and contracts to meet the 10-year reliability criteria. That may mean securing on-site fuel or long-term fuel contracts, investing in equipment or controls that provide frequency and voltage support, or designing plans to assure 30-day continuous operation for certain resources.
State regulators and nonregulated utilities: Public utility commissions and similar State decisionmakers must review IRPs with the new standard in mind and formally adopt or reject the standard within the bill’s timeframes. Nonregulated utilities that voluntarily use IRP must follow similar consideration steps.
Electric customers and grid operators: The rule aims to improve multi‑year reliability and grid resilience, which could reduce outage risk during emergencies and severe weather. These benefits may come with increased planning and procurement costs that could affect utility rates depending on State cost-recovery rules.
Resource mix and policy tradeoffs: The requirement emphasizes fuel assurance and on-site availability and could influence the pace and type of resource retirements, new build decisions, and reliance on storage, firmed renewables, or dispatchable generation. That creates potential tension with State decarbonization goals and market-based approaches; States will weigh reliability benefits against cost and emissions objectives during IRP reviews.
Administrative burden and compliance costs: The standard imposes additional planning and documentation requirements on utilities and review workload on State regulators. The bill does not provide federal funds to cover these costs, though it recognizes prior State actions in a narrow exception.
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.