Reliable Power Act

The "Reliable Power Act" proposes amendments to the Federal Power Act, primarily focusing on bolstering the reliable operation of the bulk-power system. It mandates the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) to conduct annual long-term assessments of the bulk-power system's ability to supply sufficient electric energy. These assessments must analyze the generation resource mix, transmission development, electric energy demand trends, and the risk of future supply shortfalls under various conditions, including extreme weather. If the ERO determines a state of generation inadequacy , it must notify the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Subsequently, FERC is required to inform relevant federal agencies, such as the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, about this inadequacy. These federal agencies must then submit any "covered agency actions"—regulations directly affecting bulk-power system generation resources—to FERC for review and comment. FERC, in consultation with the ERO and transmission organizations, will provide comments and recommendations, including potential modifications, to prevent a significant negative impact on reliability. A federal agency cannot finalize a covered agency action until it responds in writing to FERC's comments and FERC determines that the action is not likely to have a significant negative impact on the bulk-power system's ability to maintain reliability. All comments, recommendations, and responses must be made publicly available.