WATCH: Wyden unveils legislation at Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on power grid resilience
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today introduced legislation that would overhaul aging power line infrastructure and improve efficiency in order to bring down energy costs and reduce wildfire risks in Oregon and nationwide.
“It’s time for the federal government to stop pretending like our outdated energy infrastructure can keep up with growing demand and risk of natural disasters,” dijo Wyden. “Our bill takes a significant step to help bring our electric grid into the 21st century, ensuring we can meet demand. And it would take much-needed action to combat skyrocketing energy costs as a direct result of Donald Trump’s illegal war in Iran and his inane unraveling of clean energy alternatives.”
“No one should have to worry about their lives being at risk because they’ve been stranded for days or weeks on end without electricity due to failing grid infrastructure,” dijo Merkley. “As climate chaos fuels extreme weather in Oregon and across the United States, we must invest in resilient power grids that can stand up to dangerous heat waves and storms.”
Aging power line infrastructure has led directly to increased risk of wildfire ignition during dry summer months, and in the winter months, strained energy grid infrastructure has led to collapsed powerlines, blown transformers, broken utility poles, and widespread blackouts. Many of the costs associated with rebuilding power lines after a natural disaster are then placed directly on consumers, leading to higher energy bills.
El Wildfire and Grid Reliability Act would help power companies do their part to reduce the risks of blackouts and wildfires through system upgrades, fire and disaster mitigation, and proper vegetation management. It provides direct incentives to power companies to better maintain the power lines and reduce risks to local communities.
The Wildfire and Grid Reliability Act would:
- Establish a $15 billion-per-year matching grant program for power companies through the Department of Energy to reduce the risk of disaster-caused outages or power lines causing wildfires.
- Give special priority to smaller, rural electric companies.
- Promote proven methods for hardening the power grid and reducing wildfire risks, including undergrounding of powerlines, installation of microgrids, and strengthening utility poles.
- Provide for hardening of overhead power lines and clearing of brush and other hazardous vegetation where undergrounding of power lines is not a favorable option.
- Require power companies to have “skin in the game” by making the program a 1-to-1 matching grant, with an exception for smaller utilities where the matching requirement is one third of the grant.
- Deliver accountability on the part of utilities and the Department of Energy by generating a report every two years on efforts conducted under the grant program.
- Provide funding to support smaller utilities in completing the application for federal funding.
“This legislation reflects a clear understanding that wildfire risk is a long-term challenge requiring sustained, coordinated action. Continued investment in resilient infrastructure is essential to protecting our communities, and encouraging the adoption of comprehensive wildfire mitigation plans will help ensure we are better prepared before disasters occur. This bill carries forward the spirit of the Federal Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission and meaningfully advances several of its key recommendations. It represents an important step toward building safer, more fire-adapted communities across the country,” said Mariana Ruiz-Temple, Oregon State Fire Marshal.
“Increasing natural disasters like wildfires, floods, and landslides continue to damage electric utility transmission and distribution infrastructure, threatening communities, tribes and rural economies. This legislation will empower forward thinking utilities to collaborate with rural communities on microgrids and other resilience measures to keep the power on and prevent rates from skyrocketing,” said Dylan Kruse, President of Sustainable Northwest.
“The League supports Senator Wyden’s Wildfire and Grid Reliability Program and calls for immediate consideration in the Senate. Oregon cities have been plagued recently by severe and persistent drought leading to ever-increasing wildfire risk resulting in reduced electric transmission during natural emergencies causing blackouts in Oregon communities. 2024 Oregon wildfires took an unconscionable human toll, burned a record 1.9 million acres, cost Oregon more than $350 million in resources and billions in economic loss. Resources made available through this program demonstrate a commitment by federal partners to hardening the electrical grid to mitigate wildfire risk and usher in new microgrid technology that will help with grid resilience during natural disasters,” said Patricia Mulvihill, Executive Director, League of Oregon Cities.
“Pacific Power supports any effort to identify funding for necessary infrastructure projects, including work related to wildfire prevention and system strengthening. Investments in grid infrastructure, upgrades to safety equipment and continued wildfire prevention are necessary for the health, safety and economic growth of our customers and communities,” said Ryan Flynn, President of Pacific Power.
A one-pager for the bill is aquí.
Legislative text is aquí.
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