Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
The "Promoting Opportunities to Widen Electrical Resilience Act of 2025," or POWER Act, amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to improve the resilience of electric utilities during and after disasters. It specifically authorizes electric utilities to undertake cost-effective hazard mitigation activities in conjunction with emergency power restoration efforts funded under Section 403 of the Stafford Act. A key provision clarifies that an electric utility facility receiving assistance for emergency power restoration under Section 403 will not be rendered ineligible for other hazard mitigation assistance available under Section 406. This ensures that utilities can pursue comprehensive resilience strategies without losing access to vital funding. These changes will apply to funds appropriated on or after the Act's enactment date.
The "Promoting Opportunities to Widen Electrical Resilience Act of 2025," or POWER Act, amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to improve the resilience of electric utilities during and after disasters. It specifically authorizes electric utilities to undertake cost-effective hazard mitigation activities in conjunction with emergency power restoration efforts funded under Section 403 of the Stafford Act. A key provision clarifies that an electric utility facility receiving assistance for emergency power restoration under Section 403 will not be rendered ineligible for other hazard mitigation assistance available under Section 406. This ensures that utilities can pursue comprehensive resilience strategies without losing access to vital funding. These changes will apply to funds appropriated on or after the Act's enactment date.