H.R. 4990: Wildfire Grid Resiliency Act

This bill, titled the Wildfire Grid Resiliency Act, aims to enhance the resilience of the electric grid against wildfires. Here are the key components of the bill:

Establishment of a Demonstration Program

The bill directs the Secretary of Energy to implement a program called the Resilience Accelerator Demonstration Program. This program will focus on awarding funding to National Laboratories for projects that showcase new technologies designed to improve the electric grid's resilience in the face of wildfires.

Eligible Projects

Under the program, the Secretary of Energy can grant funds for projects that demonstrate innovative technologies related to:

• Vegetation Management: Technologies aimed at effectively monitoring and managing vegetation that could pose a fire risk to the electric grid.
• First Responder Safety: Innovations that enhance the safety of first responders during emergencies involving the electric grid.

Funding and Authorization

The bill provides an authorization of $10 million each year for the fiscal years 2026 through 2029 to support the Resilience Accelerator Demonstration Program.

Definitions

• National Laboratory: Defined as per section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, referring to federally funded research and development centers focused on various scientific and technological disciplines.
• Resilience: This term is defined according to section 1304A of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, generally referring to the ability of the electric grid to withstand and recover from disruptive events.

Purpose

The overall intent of the Wildfire Grid Resiliency Act is to utilize innovative technologies to bolster the infrastructure of the electric grid against potential wildfire damages, ultimately improving safety and reliability in areas prone to such natural disasters.

Relevant Companies

None found