H.R.164 - Promoting Opportunities to Widen Electrical Resilience Act of 2025; POWER Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 164, the POWER Act of 2025, amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. It authorizes federal agencies to provide essential assistance for hazard mitigation to electric utilities. This includes allowing utilities to combine hazard mitigation with power restoration activities and ensuring that receiving emergency restoration assistance does not disqualify them from future hazard mitigation assistance.
Expected Effects
The bill aims to improve the resilience of the electric grid against disasters. It will allow electric utilities to proactively mitigate hazards and restore power more efficiently after emergencies. The changes apply to funds appropriated after the bill's enactment.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced grid resilience, reducing the frequency and duration of power outages.
- Cost-effective hazard mitigation activities carried out jointly with power restoration.
- Increased eligibility for hazard mitigation assistance for electric utilities.
- Improved reliability of power supply during and after disasters.
- Potential for reduced costs associated with disaster recovery for electric utilities.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased federal spending on hazard mitigation activities.
- Possible delays in the allocation of funds due to bureaucratic processes.
- Risk of inefficient allocation of resources if hazard mitigation activities are not properly assessed.
- Limited applicability, as the amendment only applies to amounts appropriated after enactment.
- Potential for unintended consequences if the definition of 'cost-effective' is not clearly defined.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the General Welfare Clause of the Constitution, as it aims to improve the resilience of the electric grid and ensure a reliable power supply for the American people. Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 grants Congress the power to provide for the general welfare of the United States. The bill's focus on disaster relief and hazard mitigation also aligns with the federal government's responsibility to provide for the common defense and domestic tranquility.
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).