Press Releases

Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 9541, the Promoting Opportunities to Widen Electrical Resilience (POWER) Act, legislation authored by U.S. Representatives Mike Ezell (R-MS4) and Val Hoyle (D-OR4). This bill would provide more tools for public power utilities to invest in long-term hazard mitigation and grid resilience solutions while rebuilding infrastructure after a major disaster. 

"Public power utilities play a critical role in ensuring our communities have reliable, resilient electricity, especially after a major disaster. With the passage of this bill in the U.S. House, we are providing our Mississippi communities with the tools and resources they need to invest in long-term hazard mitigation and strengthen grid resilience. To put it plainly, this legislation will help save lives and aid with restoring critical services swiftly. I’m proud to have co-led this important legislation to safeguard our energy systems and ensure they can withstand future challenges," Ezell said.

“As weather events become increasingly severe and common, we must do more to better prepare for the next disaster,” Hoyle said. “My bill gives electric utilities more tools to rebuild for resilience after a major disaster, reducing the risk of future power outages that harm public safety and local economies. I’d like to thank Representative Ezell for his partnership, and I will work with my Senate colleagues to get this bill signed into law.”  

Under current law, utilities that receive federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to restore electric service after a major disaster are ineligible for additional federal funding for resilience improvements. The POWER Act streamlines mitigation efforts through modifying eligibility for public utilities.

"The POWER Act reduces the painful choice between immediate response and long-term investments, allowing communities to restore power as quickly as possible, while also taking steps to mitigate against hazards in the future. The POWER Act is good for the economy, good for local communities, and good for public power customers," said Scott Corwin, President & CEO of the American Public Power Association.

“In the wake of natural disasters, electric cooperatives have long sought the ability to rebuild damaged or destroyed infrastructure so that it is stronger and more resilient than ever before. The POWER Act helps our members achieve this goal by giving them access to Public Assistance funding to implement cost-effective hazard mitigation strategies during the disaster recovery process,” said National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CEO Jim Matheson. “This legislation is critically important as co-ops build back in the wake of major hurricanes in the southeast and ongoing wildfires in the west. We thank Reps. Hoyle and Ezell for championing this important bill.”

"The POWER Act is a game-changer for protecting our nation’s lifeline infrastructure,” said Dr. Natalie Enclade, Executive Director, BuildStrong America. "By enabling electrical utilities to incorporate cost-effective hazard mitigation into their disaster recovery efforts, this legislation ensures power restoration efforts are not just reactive but forward-thinking. Strengthening critical systems like our electrical grid through hazard mitigation helps reduce future risks, safeguard communities, and promote long-term resilience."

The POWER Act helps to ensure that public power utilities are able to make necessary improvements that don’t just restore the affected infrastructure but improve it. By making it easier to access long-term hazard mitigation funding, localities can ensure that disaster recovery is more effective and efficient.

The bill now goes to the United States Senate for consideration. If passed, it goes to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

Read the full text of the bill, here.

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