U.S. Senators Young, Hoeven introduce bill to improve grid reliability

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and John Hoeven (R-N.D.) introduced the Guaranteeing Reliability through the Interconnection of Dispatchable (GRID) Power Act, legislation to streamline the development of new baseload power generation projects and improve the reliability of the electrical grid.

“Bureaucratic delays are slowing critical power projects and threatening the reliability of our electric grid. We need to cut through red tape to get more power online faster. This bill will strengthen our grid to promote American energy independence and drive economic growth—especially in states like Indiana, where reliable energy is vital to jobs and Hoosier workers,” said Senator Young.

“The reliability of the electric grid has been undermined for years by Green New Deal policies advanced under the Obama and Biden administrations, whose heavy-handed approach to regulation has forced the retirement of critically-needed baseload power plants. The result is an unstable grid, power shortages and more brownouts and blackouts,” said Senator Hoeven. “Our legislation seeks to reverse this trend by empowering grid operators to put baseload power generation projects at the front of the line for approval. Further, it sets deadlines for FERC, requiring the agency to promptly set up this priority approval process and to start acting on baseload power projects. Doing so will enhance our nation’s energy security and help ensure the power stays on when needed most.”

The GRID Power Act would direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to initiate rulemaking authorizing regional grid operators to give priority consideration for baseload generation projects seeking an interconnection agreement. The interconnection agreement queue is where proposed projects wait before grid operators begin conducting their feasibility and system impact studies. As of 2023, the median wait time was five years for an interconnection agreement, significantly delaying the construction of critical projects. FERC would be required to establish this process within 90 days of the bill’s enactment and finalize the rule within 180 days. 

Additionally, the bill would establish a 60-day timeline for FERC to act on baseload generation projects given priority consideration by grid operators. Timely approval of projects will help address the gap in reliable power generation created by Biden-Harris Administration rules like the Clean Power Plan 2.0, which have accelerated the retirement of American baseload power plants.

A companion to the bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH-12).

Full text of the Senate’s GRID Power Act can be found here.