Enhancing Electric Grid Resilience Act
Latest action (22 Jul 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
S. 5074, the Enhancing Electric Grid Resilience Act, would amend the Federal Power Act to create a new process for allocating the costs of certain large electric transmission lines. It would allow an entity that owns, controls, or operates a "transmission facility of national significance" to file a tariff with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission proposing how the costs of that facility should be divided among customers. The Commission would be required to ensure that costs are allocated to customers within the relevant transmission planning region(s) in rough proportion to the benefits those customers are expected to receive, considering reliability, economic, public policy, resilience, environmental, and other anticipated benefits.
The bill defines "transmission facility of national significance" as new interstate or offshore transmission lines with a capacity of at least 1,000 megawatts, or expansions/upgrades to existing interstate or offshore lines that add at least 500 megawatts of capacity, completed after the bill's enactment. It would not affect the Commission's existing authority over cost allocation for transmission facilities that don't meet this definition. This provision primarily affects large-scale transmission developers, utilities, regional grid operators, and electricity customers who may bear allocated costs for major new or upgraded transmission lines.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on July 22, 2026, by Senator Peter Welch and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. It would need to be considered and approved by that committee, then pass the full Senate and House, and be signed by the President before becoming law. No further action has occurred beyond introduction.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on July 22, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does S. 5074 do?
- S. 5074, the Enhancing Electric Grid Resilience Act, would amend the Federal Power Act to create a new process for allocating the costs of certain large electric transmission lines. It would allow an entity that owns, controls, or operates a "transmission facility of national significance" to file a tariff with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission proposing how the costs of that facility should be divided among customers. The Commission would be required to ensure that costs are allocated to customers within the relevant transmission planning region(s) in rough proportion to the benefits those customers are expected to receive, considering reliability, economic, public policy, resilience, environmental, and other anticipated benefits. The bill defines "transmission facility of national significance" as new interstate or offshore transmission lines with a capacity of at least 1,000 megawatts, or expansions/upgrades to existing interstate or offshore lines that add at least 500 megawatts of capacity, completed after the bill's enactment. It would not affect the Commission's existing authority over cost allocation for transmission facilities that don't meet this definition. This provision primarily affects large-scale transmission developers, utilities, regional grid operators, and electricity customers who may bear allocated costs for major new or upgraded transmission lines. The bill was introduced in the Senate on July 22, 2026, by Senator Peter Welch and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. It would need to be considered and approved by that committee, then pass the full Senate and House, and be signed by the President before becoming law. No further action has occurred beyond introduction.
- Has S. 5074 become law?
- Not yet. As of 22 Jul 2026, S. 5074 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 5074?
- S. 5074 was sponsored by Sen. Peter Welch [D-VT] (Democrat-VT), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5074?
- Introduced (22 Jul 2026).
Related bills in Energy
MORE American Fuel Act of 2026
Ratepayer Protection Act
High-Capacity Grid Act
Affordable Innovation for the Grid Act
Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.