S.1429 - Promoting Opportunities to Widen Electrical Resilience Act of 2025; POWER Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1429, the POWER Act of 2025, amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. It aims to authorize federal agencies to provide essential assistance for hazard mitigation for electric utilities. This includes allowing electric utilities to combine hazard mitigation activities with power restoration efforts and ensuring that receiving restoration assistance does not disqualify them from future hazard mitigation assistance.
Expected Effects
The bill will likely result in improved resilience of the electric grid against natural disasters. It could also lead to reduced recovery times after disasters. The amendment applies only to funds appropriated after the enactment of the Act.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced grid resilience against natural disasters.
- Faster power restoration after emergencies.
- Cost-effective hazard mitigation activities by electric utilities.
- Increased eligibility for hazard mitigation assistance.
- Reduced long-term costs associated with disaster recovery.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased reliance on federal funding by electric utilities.
- Risk of inefficient allocation of resources if hazard mitigation activities are not properly vetted.
- Limited applicability as it only affects funds appropriated after enactment.
- Possible delays in implementation due to bureaucratic processes.
- Could incentivize utilities to delay upgrades until after a disaster to qualify for federal aid.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause, as it aims to improve infrastructure and disaster preparedness. Specifically, it falls under Congress's power to regulate commerce and provide for the common defense and general welfare as outlined in Article I, Section 8. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).