Wildfire and Grid Reliability Act

This bill would require the Secretary of Energy to create a grant program within 90 days to pay electric utilities for projects that reduce the risk of power lines starting wildfires or that make the power grid better able to withstand natural disasters. Utilities could use the money for activities such as burying power lines, installing steel poles and covered wires, managing vegetation, adding weather stations and sensors, and building microgrids. At least 40 percent of funds would go to wildfire-risk projects and at least 20 percent to smaller utilities. Most utilities would have to match the grant dollar for dollar, while smaller utilities would match one-third. The bill would authorize $15 billion per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2036.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Joe Neguse Democrat sponsor
• 0 cosponsors