**House Passes POWER Act to Enhance Power Safety During Disasters**

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21 days ago - Politics

House Passes New Law to Improve Power Safety During Disasters

In a significant decision, the House of Representatives has passed a new law designed to help electric companies manage power outages during bad weather and emergencies. This law, known as the POWER Act of 2025, aims to make sure that electricity stays running smoothly even when storms or floods occur.

The POWER Act allows federal agencies to provide support to electric companies for important safety upgrades. This support, called hazard mitigation, means that when electric companies are faced with a crisis like a severe storm, they can get funding to not just fix what is broken, but also to make their equipment stronger for the future. This could include things like reinforcing power lines or upgrading outdated technology.

One of the key points of this new law is that electric companies can do two things at once. While they are working to restore power after an outage, they can also invest in improvements to prevent future problems. For instance, if they receive government money to fix power issues, this won't prevent them from getting more money later to make their systems safer. This means easier and safer power for everyone in the community.

By passing this law, the House is taking a big step toward ensuring that electric utilities can protect themselves and the people they serve when severe weather hits. With this new support system in place, citizens can feel more confident that their power supply will be reliable and safe, even in tough times.

This is a new law that helps electric companies prepare for disasters better.

The main points are:

  1. Electric utilities can get money to improve their services and protect against future problems.
  2. They can work on two things at the same time: fixing power outages and making their systems safer.
  3. If they receive money to fix power after a disaster, they can still get extra help to make their systems stronger for the future.
  4. This law only applies to money given out after it was passed.

This means that electric companies can better serve communities and keep power running safely during emergencies.

421 votes

Yes

419

No

2

Not Voting

12

  1. Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  2. Referred in Senate

    This is a new law that helps electric companies improve their services after disasters.

    1. This law allows federal agencies to help electric companies with important safety measures to prevent problems and restore power quickly during emergencies.

    2. Electric companies can now use the money they receive for restoring power to also pay for safety improvements. This means they can work on fixing issues that might cause outages later.

    3. If an electric company gets help for restoring power, they can still get additional protection funds to improve their systems.

    4. These changes start working as soon as this law is approved.

    Overall, this law aims to make sure electric services are more reliable and can bounce back faster when disasters happen.

  3. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  4. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 419 - 2 (Roll no. 13). (text: 1/13/2025 CR H103)
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  5. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 419 - 2 (Roll no. 13). (text: 1/13/2025 CR H103)
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  6. Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H168-169)
  7. Engrossed in House

    This is a new law that helps electric companies prepare for disasters better.

    The main points are:

    1. Electric utilities can get money to improve their services and protect against future problems.
    2. They can work on two things at the same time: fixing power outages and making their systems safer.
    3. If they receive money to fix power after a disaster, they can still get extra help to make their systems stronger for the future.
    4. This law only applies to money given out after it was passed.

    This means that electric companies can better serve communities and keep power running safely during emergencies.

  8. At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
  9. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 164.
  10. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H103-104)
  11. Mr. Graves moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  12. Introduced in House

    This is a bill that helps electric companies prepare for disasters.

    • It allows electric utilities to get help from the federal government to fix problems and to make changes that will reduce future risks.
    • Electric utilities can now combine repairs with other safety actions to make power lines stronger.
    • If they get money to fix power quickly after a disaster, they can still get extra money to prevent future problems, such as floods or storms.
    • This support is available only for money given after this bill becomes law.
  13. Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
  14. Introduced in House