(a) Repeal

Subchapter A of chapter 5 of subtitle A of title VII of Public Law 119–21 is hereby repealed.

(b) Amendments

Each provision of law amended by such subchapter is amended to read as such provision would read if such subchapter had never been enacted.

(c) Effects

Each amendment made by subsection (b) shall take effect as if included in the provision of such subchapter to which such amendment relates.

(a)

The Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Transportation may not terminate a Federal award in part or its entirety, require a renegotiation or rescoping of the Federal award, or decide not to fund a future budget period of a Federal award on the basis that the Federal award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities, including pursuant to section 200.340(a)(4) of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations.

(b)

Any Federal award that was terminated, renegotiated, rescoped, or not progressed to future budget periods by the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, or the Department of Transportation after January 19, 2025, for no longer effectuating the program goals or agency priorities, including pursuant to section 200.340(a)(4) of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations, shall be reinstated by such agency or entity under its previous terms and conditions.

(a) Requirement for parity

The Council on Environmental Quality, in consultation with all applicable Federal agencies, shall ensure, via subsection (b), that the processing of applications, authorizations, or related approvals as well as denials and the activities referenced in subsection (g) for wind, solar, storage, or related electric transmission projects on Federal and non-Federal land and waters is not subject to more restrictive or burdensome procedural requirements than those applied to applications for oil, gas, or coal projects on Federal and non-Federal land and waters and does not bias Federal decision making in favor of oil, gas, or coal projects, including—

(b) Policy review

(c) Accountability in permitting

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section and annually thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on actions taken by all applicable Federal agencies related to permitting for energy projects, which shall include—

(d) Ensuring energy security

(e) Timely Federal review

(f) Judicial review

(g) Ensuring fairness on Federal lands and waters

(1)

in paragraph (1)—

(2)

in paragraph (2)—

(3)

in paragraph (4)—

(4)

by adding at the end the following:

(6)

(A)

Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary issues an order under paragraph (1), the Commission shall publish—

(i)

estimates of the costs that are expected to be incurred by any electric utility and customers of such electric utility as a result of the order; and

(ii)

other expected impacts of the order.

(B)

Not later than 60 days after the date on which the Secretary issues an order under paragraph (1), an electric utility that has been, or is expected to be, affected as a result of the order, including any electric utility described in subparagraph (A)(i), shall provide in writing to customers of the electric utility a description of the costs incurred due to the order, or costs expected to be incurred as a result of the order, including any information relevant to the electric utility and the customers of the electric utility published under subparagraph (A).

(1)

in subsection (b)—

(2)

in subsection (e), in the first sentence—

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(f)

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 2607C, including making grants under that section, $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, and $1,000,000,000 plus such additional sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year thereafter.

(1)

by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (6), (7) through (10), and (11), as paragraphs (6) through (8), (10) through (13), and (15), respectively;

(2)

by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:

(4)

The terms extreme heat and extreme cold, used with respect to a period, means a period in which there is an increased risk of—

(A)

heat-related or cold-related, respectively, illness, hospitalization, or death; or

(B)

failures or energy shutoffs of home cooling or heating, respectively.

(5)

The term HEAP coordinator means an employee—

(A)

who administers a program funded under section 2602(b); and

(B)

whose salary is paid, partly or wholly, with funds made available under that section.;

(3)

by inserting after paragraph (8), as so redesignated, the following:

(9)

The term local coordinating agency means any local organization or local office that receives funds under section 2602(b) to perform customer intake, or approval of benefits, on behalf of the State agency.; and

(4)

by inserting after paragraph (13), as so redesignated, the following:

(14)

The term State agency means any State agency that administers the program funded under section 2602(b).

(1)

in subsection (a)(1)(B), by striking section 2605(b)(9)(B) and inserting section 2605(b)(10)(B); and

(2)

in subsection (e)—

(1)

in subsection (b)—

(2)

in subsection (c)(1)—

(3)

in subsection (e), by striking subsection (b)(10) and inserting subsection (b)(11);

(4)

in subsection (f), by adding at the end the following:

(3)

For purposes of section 401(c), and the remainder of title IV, of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1611(a), 1601 et seq.), assistance under this title shall not be considered to be a Federal public benefit.; and

(5)

in subsection (j), by striking the State may apply and inserting the State may, subject to subsection (c)(1)(A)(i), apply.

(1)

in subsection (b)—

(2)

in subsection (c)(1)—

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(m)

The Secretary shall allow, to the greatest extent possible, eligible households to obtain assistance with minimal administrative burden, by carrying out subsection (c)(1)(A)(i).

(n)

The Secretary shall, by grant or contract, provide for a study that examines the rates of home energy shutoffs and assessments of late fees among eligible households, relative to those rates for households that are not eligible households, over a period of several years.

(o)

The Secretary shall provide technical assistance to States to support partnerships described in subsection (b)(8)(H).

(p)

(1)

The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall issue guidance for use of funds for administrative activities described in subsection (b)(10) to increase, through partnerships with elementary schools, secondary schools, and local educational agencies, enrollment in the program funded under section 2602(b) among eligible households that include children and that have high energy burdens.

(2)

The Secretary shall issue guidance for use by States on outreach relating to assistance through the program funded under section 2602(b) to high-risk individuals, with relevant medical conditions, that benefit from the use of medical equipment that requires electricity, including a ventilator, an oxygen concentrator, or another medical device that requires electricity.

(3)

The Secretary shall issue guidance for use by States on how to ensure that eligible households are aware of additional grants, tax credits, and rebates, made available under Public Law 117–169, or an amendment made by such law.

(q)

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Energy Bills Relief Act, the Secretary shall require each State receiving funds under this title, including allotments under subsection (a) or (e) of section 2604, to develop and update as necessary, an action plan for a period of extreme heat, which shall describe how the State will use its allotments under this title to assist eligible households in covering cooling costs and mitigating heat-related health risks.

(r)

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Energy Bills Relief Act, the Secretary shall conduct a review of eligibility criteria for assistance under this title and identify additional vulnerable populations to include under such criteria, such as pregnant women, children, and individuals with medical conditions exacerbated by a period of extreme heat.

(s)

The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall require State energy offices receiving Federal funds under this title to develop plans—

(1)

to retrofit low-income housing stock to adapt to rising temperatures and address environmental hazards, including—

(A)

deploying highly efficient cooling systems, including heat pumps;

(B)

expanding weatherization and passive cooling strategies;

(C)

addressing structural and health hazards, including mold, lead, asbestos, and pest infections; and

(D)

ensuring that necessary electrical panel and wiring upgrades are completed to support the installation of cooling systems and energy efficiency improvements; and

(2)

to assess and adapt existing (as of the date of development of the plan) shutoff policies to protect all households while considering the impact on energy affordability and energy grid reliability.

(t)

(1)

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Energy Bills Relief Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, shall submit a report to Congress that—

(A)

identifies safe residential temperature standards for federally assisted dwelling units, considering risks of periods of extreme heat and extreme cold and regional climate variations; and

(B)

proposes strategies to ensure compliance with the standards, including permitting covered utility allowances to be used for cooling assistance where feasible, taking into account regional climate variations and housing stock differences.

(2)

In this subsection, the term covered utility allowance means a utility allowance—

(A)

applicable to public housing dwelling units under section 3 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a); or

(B)

under the housing choice voucher program under section 8(o)(2)(D) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(2)(D)).

(1)

in paragraph (1), by striking 15 percent and inserting 25 percent; and

(2)

in paragraph (2)—

(1) LIHEAP

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 is amended—

(2) Other law

A reference in any other Federal law (other than that Act), Executive order, rule, regulation, or delegation of authority, or any document, of or relating to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, shall be deemed to refer to the Home Energy Assistance Program.

(1)

in section 2607B(e)(2)(K) (42 U.S.C. 8626b(e)(2)(K)) by striking paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), (7), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), and (14) of section 2605(b) and inserting paragraphs (2), (4), (5), (6), (8), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), and (15) of section 2605(b); and

(2)

in section 2610(b)(1) (42 U.S.C. 8629) by striking clauses (2), (5), (8), and (15) of section 2605(b) and inserting paragraphs (2), (6), (9), and (16) of section 2605(b).

(1)

by striking , or under other Federal programs;

(2)

by striking , may and inserting may; and

(3)

by striking or under other Federal programs, or from receiving non-Federal assistance for weatherization.

(1) In general

The Energy Conservation and Production Act is amended by adding after section 414E (42 U.S.C. 6864e) the following section:

414F. Weatherization readiness program

(a) In general

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a weatherization readiness program to provide grants to States, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations to implement measures to make dwelling units occupied by low-income persons ready to receive weatherization measures pursuant to the weatherization program conducted under this part by addressing structural, plumbing, roofing, and electrical issues and environmental hazards, and implementing other measures that the Secretary determines to be appropriate, to reduce the frequency of deferrals of such weatherization measures when the condition of a dwelling unit renders delivery of weatherization measures unsafe or ineffective.

(b) Alignment of requirements

Except as otherwise provided in this section, to the extent possible, the Secretary shall, in establishing the weatherization readiness program under this section—

(1)

align the requirements of such weatherization readiness program with the requirements of the weatherization program conducted under this part; and

(2)

seek to reduce barriers to leveraging other sources of funding for weatherization readiness measures.

(c) Savings-to-Investment ratio

The weatherization readiness program established under this section shall not include a savings-to-investment ratio requirement.

(d) Previous weatherization

Weatherization readiness measures implemented pursuant to the weatherization readiness program established under this section shall not be considered previous weatherization for purposes of section 415(c)(2).

(e) Average cost per dwelling unit

The Secretary shall establish, or require a State grantee to establish, a limit for expenditures for weatherization readiness measures, including labor, materials, and related matters, to be implemented with respect to a dwelling unit, on an average cost per unit basis, pursuant to the weatherization readiness program established under this section.

(f) Allocation of funds

(1) In general

The Secretary shall allocate funding made available under this section to States and tribal organizations in a manner consistent with the allocation of financial assistance for weatherization assistance under the weatherization program conducted under this part.

(2) Updated allocation

Not sooner than October 1, 2029, the Secretary, in consultation with States and tribal organizations, may, by rule, update the method to allocate funding to States and tribal organizations under this section to more accurately reflect the relative need for funding for weatherization readiness measures among low-income persons throughout the States and Indian tribes.

(g) Administrative expenses

Not more than an amount equal to 15 percent of any grant made by the Secretary under this section may be used for administrative purposes, except that not more than one-half of such amount may be used by any State for such purposes.

(h) Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out this section.

(2) Table of contents amendment

The table of contents for the Energy Conservation and Production Act is amended by adding after the item relating to section 414E the following:

(1)

with respect to an eligible cool roof product installed on a low-sloped roof—

(2)

with respect to an eligible cool roof product installed on a steep-sloped roof—

(1)

whether the participant used the rebate to help retrofit an old roof or install a new roof;

(2)

if the participant retrofitted an old roof, which older roof product the new eligible cool roof product replaced or covered; and

(3)

what eligible cool roof product the participant purchased using the rebate.

(1) 3-year aged

The term 3-year aged means, with respect to solar reflectance or thermal emittance of an eligible cool roof product, the solar reflectance or thermal emittance is tested after completing 3 years of field exposure, or tested after laboratory exposure that has replicated the effects of 3 years of natural exposure if the eligible cool roof product has begun but not yet completed field exposure, in accordance with the most recent standard issued by the American National Standard Institute and Cool Roof Rating Council, S100–2021.

(2) Eligible cool roof product

The term eligible cool roof product means a product that has a rating from the Cool Roof Rating Council.

(3) Eligible household

(4) Incident solar flux

The term incident solar flux means the solar power per unit area that strikes a surface.

(5) Low-sloped roof

The term low-sloped roof means a roof with a slope (ratio of rise to run) of 2:12 or less.

(6) Radiant heat flux

The term radiant heat flux means the radiant power per unit area.

(7) Reflected solar flux

The term reflected solar flux means the solar power per unit area reflected from a surface.

(8) Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy.

(9) Solar reflectance

The term solar reflectance means the ratio of reflected solar flux to the incident solar flux.

(10) Solar Reflectance Index

The term Solar Reflectance Index means a calculated value that combines solar reflectance with thermal emittance into a single metric, in accordance with section 2.2.9. of the Cool Roof Rating Council’s Roof Product Rating Program Manual.

(11) Steep-sloped roof

The term steep-sloped roof means a roof with a slope (ratio of rise to run) greater than 2:12.

(12) Thermal emittance

The term thermal emittance means the ratio of the radiant heat flux emitted by a material tested at a temperature near 300 kelvin.

(1) Exportation of natural gas

Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(g) Exportation of natural gas

(1) Order required

No person shall export any natural gas from the United States to a foreign country without first having secured an order of the Secretary of Energy authorizing it to do so. The Secretary of Energy may issue such order upon application only if, after opportunity for hearing, the Secretary of Energy finds that the proposed exportation will be consistent with the public interest. The Secretary of Energy may by its order grant such application, in whole or in part, with such modification and upon such terms and conditions as the Secretary of Energy may find necessary or appropriate, and may from time to time, after opportunity for hearing, and for good cause shown, issue such supplemental order for such exportation as it may find necessary or appropriate.

(2) Deadline

The Secretary of Energy shall find whether proposed exportation of natural gas will be consistent with the public interest under paragraph (1) by not later than the date that is 1 year after the later of—

(A)

the date on which the Secretary of Energy receives the final environmental impact statement for such proposed exportation from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and

(B)

the date on which the Secretary completes each assessment required by paragraph (4).

(3) Public interest finding

The Secretary of Energy may find that proposed exportation of natural gas for which an application is submitted under paragraph (1) will be consistent with the public interest under such paragraph only if the Secretary of Energy determines, based on the applicable assessment under paragraph (4), that the proposed exportation of natural gas will not be likely to—

(A)

significantly contribute to climate change, including by slowing the global energy transition needed to achieve deep reductions of global greenhouse gas emissions within the next decade and net-zero global greenhouse gas emissions not later than 2050;

(B)

materially increase energy prices or energy price volatility for any segment of United States consumers; or

(C)

create a disproportionate cumulative burden of adverse human or environmental impacts on Tribes and communities with environmental justice concerns, including in rural and urban low-income areas.

(4) Assessments

(A) Climate change assessment

A determination under paragraph (3)(A) shall be based on an assessment of the expected impact of the proposed exportation of natural gas on climate change. Such assessment shall be based on the latest scientific information and use the 20-year global warming potential of methane, and shall include—

(i)

quantified estimates of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the full lifecycle of the natural gas proposed for exportation, including emissions associated with the extraction, transportation, liquefaction, storage, regasification, and consumption of such natural gas;

(ii)

a comparison of the estimated greenhouse gas emissions in clause (i) to a baseline that is consistent with the need to achieve deep reductions of global greenhouse gas emissions within the next decade and deep decarbonization pathways toward net-zero global greenhouse gas emissions not later than 2050;

(iii)

an assessment of the potential effects of the proposed exportation of natural gas on clean energy alternatives, including—

(I)

any decrease in global investment in and deployment of renewable energy, electrification, and energy efficiency and conservation technologies; and

(II)

any decrease in United States exports of clean energy technologies;

(iv)

quantified estimates of the social cost of the estimated greenhouse gas emissions in clause (i); and

(v)

an identification of the extent to which climate change is accelerating the loss of economic value in the United States and, separately, in other countries, due to rising sea levels, more intense storms, eroding coasts, increased risk and severity of wildfires, and other impacts associated with climate change.

(B) Economic assessment

A determination under paragraph (3)(B) shall be based on an assessment of the expected economic impact of the proposed exportation of natural gas, including an assessment of the impact of the proposed exportation on all United States consumers, with specific estimates regarding each of the following consumer subgroups:

(i)

Low-income consumers.

(ii)

Working families.

(iii)

Small businesses.

(iv)

Manufacturers.

(v)

State, Tribal, and local governments.

(vi)

Producers and users of fertilizer.

(vii)

Facilities with high electricity demand, including data centers.

(C) Environmental justice assessment

A determination under paragraph (3)(C) shall be based on an assessment of the expected impact of the proposed exportation of natural gas on environmental justice (which shall be consistent with Executive Order 14096 (42 U.S.C. 4321 note; relating to revitalizing our Nation's commitment to environmental justice for all), as published April 21, 2023), including assessments of impacts on—

(i)

the preexisting cumulative environmental burdens and social and health risks posed to Tribes and communities with environmental justice concerns, including in rural and urban low-income areas;

(ii)

local fisheries and the economic livelihood of the people employed by local fisheries;

(iii)

racial and socioeconomic disparities in impacted communities; and

(iv)

compliance with civil rights laws.

(5) Public participation

The Secretary of Energy shall—

(A)

provide to the public an opportunity to meaningfully participate, including by providing comments, in—

(i)

the finding of the Secretary of Energy on whether proposed exportation will be consistent with the public interest under paragraph (1); and

(ii)

any study by the Department of Energy intended to inform such finding; and

(B)

ensure that opportunities to meaningfully participate under subparagraph (A) address barriers that affect members of communities with environmental justice concerns, including those related to disability, language access, and lack of resources.

(6) Major Federal action

Issuing an order authorizing the exportation of natural gas under this subsection shall be considered a major Federal action under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)).

(2) Conforming amendments

Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) is amended—

(A)

in paragraph (1)—

(A)

in the subsection heading, by inserting and grants after Loans;

(B)

by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:

(1) In general

Subject to the requirements of this subsection, the Secretary shall provide—

(A)

loans to eligible entities that agree to use the loan funds to make loans under subsection (d) to qualified consumers for the purpose of implementing energy efficiency measures; and

(B)

at the election of any eligible entity that receives a loan under subparagraph (A), a grant in accordance with paragraph (10).;

(C)

in paragraph (2)—

(D)

in paragraph (5)—

(E)

in paragraph (7)—

(F)

in paragraph (8), by striking paragraph (1) and inserting paragraph (1)(A); and

(G)

by adding at the end the following:

(10) Grants

(A) In general

At the election of an eligible entity that receives a loan under this subsection, the Secretary shall provide to the eligible entity a grant to pay for a portion of the costs incurred in—

(i)

applying for the loan;

(ii)

making a loan to a qualified consumer under subsection (d);

(iii)

making repairs to the property of a qualified consumer that facilitate the energy efficiency measures for the property financed through a loan provided to the qualified consumer under subsection (d);

(iv)

entering into a contract under subsection (e); or

(v)

carrying out any other duties of the eligible entity under this section.

(B) Amount

(i) In general

Except as provided in clause (ii), the amount of a grant provided to an eligible entity under this paragraph shall be equal to not more than 5 percent of the amount of the loan provided to the eligible entity under this subsection.

(ii) Persistent poverty counties

The amount of a grant provided under this paragraph to an eligible entity that will use the grant to make loans under subsection (d) to qualified consumers located in a persistent poverty county (as determined by the Secretary) shall be equal to 10 percent of the amount of the loan provided to the eligible entity under this subsection.;

(A)

in paragraph (1)—

(A)

in the subsection heading, by inserting outreach, after training,;

(B)

in paragraph (1)—

(C)

by adding at the end the following:

(3) Funding

Of the amounts made available under subsection (i), the Secretary may use such sums as are necessary to provide outreach, training, and technical assistance under this subsection.; and

(1) Advanced transmission technology

The term advanced transmission technology means any hardware or software that—

(2) Commission

The term Commission means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

(3) Energy storage project

The term energy storage project means—

(4) Generation project

The term generation project means—

(5) Interconnection customer

The term interconnection customer means a person or entity that has submitted an interconnection request.

(6) Interconnection request

The term interconnection request means a request submitted to a public utility to interconnect a new generation project or energy storage project to the electric system of a public utility for the purposes of transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce or the sale of electric energy at wholesale.

(7) Public utility

The term public utility has the meaning given the term in section 201(e) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824(e)).

(8) Transmission facility

The term transmission facility means a facility that is used for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce.

(9) Transmission provider

The term transmission provider means a public utility that owns, operates, or controls 1 or more transmission facilities.

(10) Transmission system

The term transmission system means a network of transmission facilities used for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce.

(1) In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall initiate a rulemaking—

(2) Deadline for final rule

Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall promulgate a final rule to complete the rulemaking initiated under paragraph (1).

(3) Deadline for compliance filings

The Commission shall require each applicable Transmission Provider subject to the final rule issued pursuant to this rulemaking to submit their compliance filings within 60 days of the issuance of the final order, and the Commission shall have 60 days thereafter to approve or reject the compliance filing. Any subsequent compliance filing thereafter shall be subject to these same timing requirements.

(4) Savings clause

Nothing in this section alters, or may be construed to alter, the allocation of costs of the transmission system pursuant to the ratemaking authority of the Commission under section 205 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824d).

(1) Commission

The term Commission means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

(2) Advanced transmission technology

The term advanced transmission technology means any hardware or software that—

(3) Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy.

(1) Definition of developer

In this subsection, the term developer, with respect to advanced transmission technology, means the entity that pays to install the advanced transmission technology.

(2) Establishment of shared savings incentive

Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall promulgate a final rule to implement section 219(b)(3) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824s(b)(3)) by providing a shared savings incentive that returns a portion of the savings attributable to an investment in advanced transmission technology to the developer of that advanced transmission technology, in accordance with this subsection. The Commission may also establish alternative incentive mechanisms, including performance-based rate adjustments, accelerated depreciation, or return-on-equity adders, for utilities or transmission owners for which a shared-savings approach is impracticable.

(3) Requirements

(4) Eligibility

Subject to paragraph (5), the shared savings incentive established under paragraph (2) shall apply with respect to—

(5) Limitations

(6) Evaluation and sunset of shared savings incentive

(1) Annual reports

(2) Rulemaking

Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall promulgate a final rule establishing a universal metric and protocol for the measuring and reporting of data under paragraph (1).

(3) Uses of data

(4) Publication of data and map

The Commission and the Secretary shall make the data submitted under paragraph (1) and the map described in paragraph (3)(B) publicly available on the websites of—

(1) Definition of developer

In this section, the term developer means a developer of transmission facilities or transmission technologies, including a developer of transmission facilities or transmission technologies that pays to install advanced transmission technology with respect to those transmission facilities or transmission technologies.

(2) Establishment of application guide

Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish an application guide for utilities and developers seeking to implement advanced transmission technologies.

(3) Updates

The guide established under paragraph (2) shall be reviewed and updated annually.

(4) Technical assistance

(5) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act, to remain available until expended—

(1) Definitions

In this section:

(2) Strategy and report

(3) Transformer resilience program

In addition to the strategy developed under subsection (b), the Secretary shall establish a program—

(4) Requirement

(5) Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, to remain available until expended.

(1) Authority having jurisdiction

The term authority having jurisdiction means any State, county, local, or Tribal office or official with jurisdiction—

(2) Qualifying distributed energy system

The term qualifying distributed energy system means any equipment or materials installed in, on, or near a residential building to support onsite or local energy use, including—

(3) Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy.

(1)

further develop and expand an exemplary streamlined permitting process that includes an online permitting platform—

(2)

establish targets for the adoption of a streamlined, expedited permitting process by authorities having jurisdiction;

(3)

provide technical assistance and training directly or indirectly to authorities having jurisdiction on using and adopting the exemplary streamlined permitting process described in paragraph (1), including the adoption of any necessary building codes;

(4)

develop a voluntary inspection protocol and related tools to expedite, standardize, and streamline the inspection of qualifying distributed energy systems, including—

(5)

take any other action to expedite, standardize, streamline, or improve the process for permitting, inspecting, or interconnecting qualifying distributed energy systems.

(1)

support the provision of technical assistance to authorities having jurisdiction, any administrator of the online permitting platform described in subsection (c)(1), government software providers, and any other entity determined appropriate by the Secretary in carrying out the activities described in subsection (c); and

(2)

provide such financial assistance as the Secretary determines appropriate from any funds appropriated to carry out this section.

(1) In general

The Secretary may certify authorities having jurisdiction that implement the exemplary streamlined permitting process described in subsection (c)(1).

(2) Process

The Secretary may confer a certification under paragraph (1) through existing programs within the Department of Energy.

(3) Prizes

The Secretary may award prizes to authorities having jurisdiction, using funds appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section, to encourage authorities having jurisdiction to adopt the exemplary streamlined permitting process or the voluntary inspection protocol established under paragraphs (1) and (4) of subsection (c), respectively.

(1) In general

Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program to increase the opportunities for participation in community solar programs by—

(2) Alignment with existing Federal programs

The Secretary shall align the program established under paragraph (1) with existing Federal programs that serve low-income communities.

(3) Assistance to State, Tribal, and local governments

In carrying out the program established under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—

(1) In general

Section 111(d) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2621(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(22) Community solar programs

(A) In general

Each electric utility shall offer a community solar program that provides all ratepayers, including low-income ratepayers, equitable and demonstrable access to such community solar program. Such programs may include community solar facilities owned or operated by non-utility entities and shall not restrict participation to utility-owned facilities.

(B) Definitions

For the purposes of this paragraph:

(i) Community solar program

The term community solar program means a service provided to any electric consumer that the electric utility serves through which the value of electricity generated by a community solar facility may be used to reduce total charges billed to the electric consumer.

(ii) Community solar facility

The term community solar facility means a solar photovoltaic system that—

(I)

allocates electricity to multiple electric consumers of an electric utility;

(II)

is interconnected with the electric grid; and

(III)

is located either on or off the property of the electric consumers described in subclause (I).

(2) Compliance

(1) Community solar facility; community solar program

The terms community solar facility and community solar program have the meaning given such terms in paragraph (22) of section 111(d) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2621(d)), as added by subsection (c) of this section.

(2) Community solar subscriber

The term community solar subscriber means an electricity customer that receives or purchases a proportional share of the output of a community solar facility under an ownership, subscription, or power purchase arrangement approved by the applicable regulatory authority.

(3) Eligible entity

The term eligible entity means—

(4) Energy community

The term energy community has the meaning given such term in section 45(b)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 45(b)(11)).

(5) National Laboratories

The term National Laboratories has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).

(6) Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy.

(1) Establishment

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a renewable energy program (in this section referred to as the program) under which the Secretary may award grants to covered entities to facilitate projects, in territories of the United States, described in paragraph (3).

(2) Applications

To be eligible for a grant under the program, a covered entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

(3) Grant uses

(4) Technical assistance

The Secretary of Energy shall ensure that Department of Energy national laboratories offer to provide technical assistance to each covered entity carrying out a project assisted with a grant under the program.

(5) Report

Not later than 2 years after the establishment of the program, and on an annual basis thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing—

(6) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

(1) In general

(2) Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated $1,500,000 to carry out this section.

(1) Covered entity

The term covered entity means a not-for-profit organization determined eligible by the Secretary of Agriculture for purposes of this Act.

(2) Department of Energy national laboratories

The term Department of Energy national laboratories has the same meaning as the term National Laboratory under section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).

(3) Microgrid

The term microgrid means an electric system—

(4) Renewable energy; renewable energy system

The terms renewable energy and renewable energy system have the meanings given those terms in section 9001 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101).

(5) Smart grid

The term smart grid means an intelligent electric grid that uses digital communications technology, information systems, and automation to, while maintaining high system reliability—

(6) Territory of the United States

The term territory of the United States means the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

(a) In general

Part II of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the end the following:

227. Siting of certain interstate electric transmission facilities

(a) Certificate of public convenience and necessity

(1) In general

On receipt of an application under subsection (b)(1) relating to a transmission facility of national significance described in paragraph (2), the Commission, after making the finding described in paragraph (3) with respect to such transmission facility of national significance, shall, by order which is published in the Federal Register, issue to the person who submitted such application a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the construction, modification, or operation of such transmission facility of national significance, subject to such reasonable terms and conditions as the Commission determines to be appropriate.

(2) Transmission facility of national significance described

A transmission facility of national significance referred to in paragraph (1) is an interstate or interregional electric power transmission line (and any facilities necessary for the operation of such electric power transmission line)—

(A)

that has a transmission capacity of not less than 1,000 megawatts; and

(B)

the construction of which is completed on or after the date of enactment of this section.

(3) Finding described

The finding referred to in paragraph (1) is a finding that—

(A)

the applicant for a certificate of public convenience and necessity is able and willing—

(i)

to carry out the activities and perform the services proposed in the application in a manner determined to be appropriate by the Commission; and

(ii)

to achieve compliance with the applicable requirements of—

(I)

this part; and

(II)

any rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission pursuant to this part;

(B)

the transmission facility of national significance to be constructed, modified, or operated under the certificate of public convenience and necessity will—

(i)

be interstate or interregional;

(ii)

be used for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce; and

(iii)

have a transmission capacity of not less than 1,000 megawatts.

(4) Rulemaking

Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Commission shall issue regulations specifying—

(A)

a pre-filing process during which a person described in subsection (b)(1) and the Commission shall consult with—

(i)

the State commission for each State through which the applicable transmission facility of national significance will traverse;

(ii)

appropriate Federal agencies;

(iii)

each Indian Tribe that may be affected by the proposed project to construct, modify, or operate a transmission facility of national significance; and

(iv)

the appropriate Transmission Organization;

(B)

the form of, and information to be contained in, an application submitted under subsection (b)(1);

(C)

requirements for determining whether the applicable transmission facility of national significance will—

(i)

traverse not fewer than 2 States;

(ii)

be used for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce; and

(iii)

have a power capacity of not less than 1,000 megawatts;

(D)

criteria for determining the reasonable and economical use of—

(i)

existing rights-of-way; and

(ii)

the transmission capabilities of existing towers or structures;

(E)

the manner in which an application submitted under subsection (b)(1) shall be considered, which, to the extent practicable, shall be consistent with State statutory and regulatory policies concerning generation and retail sales of electricity in the States in which the electric energy transmitted by the transmission facility of national significance will be generated or sold; and

(F)

the manner in which the Commission will consider the needs of communities that will be impacted directly by the applicable transmission facility of national significance, including how any impacts of the transmission facility of national significance could be mitigated or offset.

(5) Publication, public comment, and hearings for certain notice of intent and draft environmental impact statements

(A) Publication

The Commission shall publish in the Federal Register a notice of intent to prepare an environmental document under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with respect to an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity that has been submitted under subsection (b)(1).

(B) Public comment

The Commission shall provide not less than 60 days for public comment on each notice of intent and draft environmental impact statement published under subparagraph (A).

(C) Hearing

The Commission shall provide to the individuals and entities described in paragraph (6)(B) a reasonable opportunity for presentation, in at least 1 public hearing, of any views and recommendations on each notice of intent and each draft environmental impact statement published under subparagraph (A). The Commission shall publish in the Federal Register notice of any hearing held under this subparagraph.

(6) Notice and opportunity for a hearing on applications

(A) In general

In any proceeding before the Commission to consider an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity under this section, the Commission shall—

(i)

publish a notice of the application in the Federal Register;

(ii)

provide written notice of such application to all affected landowners in accordance with subsection (c); and

(iii)

provide to the individuals and entities described in subparagraph (B) a notice and reasonable opportunity for the presentation in at least 1 public hearing of any views and recommendations with respect to the need for, and impact of, the construction, modification, or operation of the transmission facility of national significance proposed to be constructed, modified, or operated under the certificate.

(B) Individuals and entities described

The individuals and entities referred to in subparagraph (A) are—

(i)

an agency, selected by the Governor (or equivalent official) of the applicable State, of each State in which the transmission facility of national significance proposed to be constructed, modified, or operated under the applicable certificate of public convenience and necessity is or will be located;

(ii)

each affected landowner; and

(iii)

as determined by the Commission—

(I)

each affected Federal agency; and

(II)

each Indian Tribe that may be affected by the proposed construction, modification, or operation.

(C) Prohibition

The Commission may not—

(i)

require an applicant for a certificate of public convenience and necessity under this section to provide any notice required under this section; or

(ii)

enter into a contract to provide any notice required under this section with—

(I)

the applicant for the applicable certificate of public convenience and necessity; or

(II)

any other person that has a financial interest in the project proposed in the application for such certificate.

(b) Applications

(1) In general

A person desiring a certificate of public convenience and necessity under this section shall submit to the Commission an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Commission may require.

(2) Requirement

An application submitted to the Commission under paragraph (1) shall include all information necessary for the Commission to make the finding described in subsection (a)(3).

(c) Notice to affected landowners

(1) In general

The Commission shall provide written notice of an application submitted under subsection (b)(1) to all affected landowners with respect to the transmission facility of national significance for which such application was submitted in accordance with this subsection.

(2) Requirements

Any notice provided to an affected landowner under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(A)

The following statement in 14-point bold typeface:

“ ‘The [name of applicant] has proposed building power lines that will cross your property, and may also require building transmission towers on your property. If the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approves [applicant]’s proposed project, then [applicant] may have the right to build transmission towers on, and power lines over, your property, or use your property to construct the proposed project, subject to paying you just compensation for the loss of your property.

“ ‘If you want to raise objections to, offer support for, or otherwise comment on this, or otherwise comment on this project, you can do so by submitting written comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Docket No. [___]. You can do this electronically or by mail. To do so electronically [to be inserted by the Commission]. To do so by mail [to be inserted by the Commission].’.

(B)

A description of the proposed project to construct, modify, or operate a transmission facility of national significance, including—

(i)

the location of the proposed project (including a general location map);

(ii)

the purpose of the proposed project; and

(iii)

the timing of the proposed project.

(C)

The name of, and the location in the docket of the Commission at which may be found, each submission by the applicant to the Commission relating to the proposed project.

(D)

A general description of what the applicant will need from the landowner if the proposed project is approved, including the activities the applicant may undertake and the facilities that the applicant may seek to construct on the property of the landowner.

(E)

A description of how the landowner may contact the applicant, including—

(i)

a website;

(ii)

an email address;

(iii)

a local or toll-free telephone number; and

(iv)

the name of a specific person to contact who is knowledgeable about the proposed project.

(F)

A description of how the landowner may contact the Commission, including—

(i)

a website;

(ii)

an email address;

(iii)

a local or toll-free telephone number; and

(iv)

the name of a specific person to contact who is knowledgeable about the proposed project.

(G)

A summary of the rights that the landowner has—

(i)

before the Commission; and

(ii)

in other proceedings under—

(I)

the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure; and

(II)

the eminent domain rules of the relevant State.

(H)

Any other information that the Commission determines to be appropriate.

(3) Obligation of applicant

An applicant for a certificate of public convenience and necessity under this section shall submit to the Commission, together with the application for the certificate, the name and address of each affected landowner.

(d) Regulatory jurisdiction

(1) In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2) and notwithstanding section 216(i), no State shall regulate any aspect of the siting or permitting of a transmission facility of national significance constructed, modified, or operated under a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued under this section.

(2) Savings clause

Nothing in this section affects the rights of States under—

(A)

the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.);

(B)

the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.);

(C)

the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.); or

(D)

division A of subtitle III of title 54, United States Code (formerly known as the National Historic Preservation Act).

(3) Tribal consent for certain rights-of-way

No right-of-way over or across Tribal land may be granted pursuant to this section unless consent for the right-of-way has been obtained from the proper Tribal official in a manner consistent with the requirements of section 2 of the Act of February 5, 1948 (62 Stat. 18, chapter 45; 25 U.S.C. 324).

(e) Judicial review

(1) In general

Any person aggrieved by an order of the Commission issued under this section may obtain review of the order in—

(A)

the court of appeals of the United States for any judicial circuit in which the transmission facility of national significance to be constructed, modified, or operated under the applicable certificate of public convenience and necessity is or will be located; or

(B)

the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

(2) Petition for review

(A) In general

A person may obtain review under paragraph (1) by filing in the applicable court a written petition praying that the order of the Commission be modified or set aside in whole or in part.

(B) Timing

A petition under subparagraph (A) shall be filed by not later than 60 days after the date on which the applicable order of the Commission is published in the Federal Register.

(3) Person aggrieved

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, a person aggrieved by an order of the Commission issued under this section need not—

(A)

have been a party to the proceedings before the Commission in which that order was issued in order to obtain judicial review of the order under this subsection; or

(B)

have requested rehearing before the Commission prior to seeking judicial review.

(f) Right of eminent domain for electric transmission facilities

(1) In general

The holder of a certificate of public convenience and necessity may acquire through the exercise of the right of eminent domain in a court described in paragraph (2) any right-of-way, land, or other property that is necessary to construct, modify, or operate a transmission facility of national significance in accordance with such certificate if the holder has, in the determination of the Commission, made good faith efforts to engage with landowners and other stakeholders early in the permitting process established under this section, and—

(A)

cannot acquire the necessary right-of-way, land, or other property by contract;

(B)

is unable to agree with the owner of the right-of-way, land, or other property with respect to the compensation to be paid for that right-of-way, land, or other property; or

(C)

cannot clear defective title with respect to the right-of-way, land, or other property.

(2) Court described

A court referred to in paragraph (1) is—

(A)

the district court of the United States for the district in which the applicable right-of-way, land, or other property is located; or

(B)

the appropriate State court.

(3) Notice of order issuing certificate

The holder of a certificate of public convenience and necessity may not exercise the right of eminent domain under this subsection with respect to any property covered by the certificate unless the Commission has first, in addition to publishing the notice of certificate of public convenience and necessity in the Federal Register, provided all affected landowners with notice of—

(A)

the order; and

(B)

the procedures for obtaining judicial review of such order under subsection (e), including a description of the time period for seeking judicial review under that subsection.

(g) Condemnation procedures

(1) Appraisals

(A) In general

A holder of, or applicant for, a certificate of public convenience and necessity shall have any property that the holder or applicant seeks to acquire through the exercise of the right of eminent domain under subsection (f) appraised in accordance with generally accepted appraisal standards by an appraiser selected by the owner of the property, subject to subparagraph (D).

(B) Requirements

(i) Costs

The applicable holder of, or applicant for, a certificate of public convenience and necessity shall pay for each appraisal carried out under subparagraph (A).

(ii) Inspections

The owner of the applicable property (or a designated representative of the owner) shall be given the opportunity to accompany the appraiser during any inspection of the property that is part of an appraisal under subparagraph (A).

(C) Timing

An appraisal under subparagraph (A) shall be carried out before—

(i)

the holder of, or applicant for, the certificate of public convenience and necessity makes an offer of just compensation under paragraph (2); or

(ii)

the holder of the certificate of public convenience and necessity commences an action or proceeding to exercise the right of eminent domain under subsection (f).

(D) Selection of appraiser

If the owner of the applicable property does not select an appraiser under subparagraph (A) by the date that is 60 days after the date on which the holder of, or applicant for, the applicable certificate of public convenience and necessity requests that the owner do so, the holder or applicant shall have the right to select the appraiser.

(2) Offers of just compensation

(A) In general

Any offer of just compensation made to an affected landowner of property that is or will be covered by a certificate of public convenience and necessity—

(i)

shall be made in writing;

(ii)

may not be for an amount less than the fair market value of the property, as determined by an appraisal carried out under paragraph (1); and

(iii)

shall include compensation for—

(I)

any lost income from the property; and

(II)

any damages to any other property of the owner.

(B) Timing

The holder of a certificate of public convenience and necessity may not make an offer of just compensation to an affected landowner until the date that is 30 days after the date on which the Commission provides a notice to the affected landowner under subsection (f)(3).

(3) Jurisdictional limitations

(A) Minimum jurisdictional amount

A district court of the United States shall only have jurisdiction of an action or proceeding to exercise the right of eminent domain under subsection (f) if the amount claimed by the owner of the property to be condemned exceeds $3,000.

(B) Tribal land

A district court of the United States shall have no jurisdiction to condemn any interest in Tribal land.

(4) Limitation on condemnation

In any action or proceeding to exercise the right of eminent domain under subsection (f), a court—

(A)

may condemn an interest in property only to the extent necessary for the specific facilities described in the applicable certificate of public convenience and necessity; and

(B)

may not—

(i)

condemn any other interest; or

(ii)

condemn an interest for any purpose not described in that certificate.

(5) Right of possession

With respect to any action or proceeding to exercise the right of eminent domain under subsection (f), an owner of property that is covered by the applicable certificate of public convenience and necessity shall not be required to surrender possession of that property unless the holder of the certificate—

(A)

has paid to the owner the award of compensation in the action or proceeding; or

(B)

has deposited the amount of that award with the court.

(6) Litigation costs

(A) In general

A holder of a certificate of public convenience and necessity that commences an action or proceeding to exercise the right of eminent domain under subsection (f) shall be liable to the owner of any property condemned in that proceeding for the costs described in subparagraph (B) if the amount awarded to that owner for the property condemned is more than 125 percent of the amount offered to the owner by the holder before the commencement of that action or proceeding.

(B) Costs described

The costs referred to in subparagraph (A) are litigation costs incurred for the action or proceeding described in that subparagraph by the owner of the property condemned, including—

(i)

reasonable attorney fees;

(ii)

expert witness fees and costs; and

(iii)

reasonable travel costs to participate in proceedings.

(h) Enforcement of conditions

(1) In general

An affected landowner the property of which has been acquired by eminent domain under subsection (f) shall have the right—

(A)

to enforce any condition in the applicable certificate of public convenience and necessity; and

(B)

to seek damages for a violation of any condition described in subparagraph (A).

(2) Jurisdiction

The district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction over any action arising under paragraph (1).

(i) Other landowner rights and protections

(1) Failure to timely complete projects

(A) Surrender of condemned property

(i) In general

An individual or entity from which an interest in property is acquired through the exercise of the right of eminent domain under subsection (f) by the holder of a certificate of public convenience and necessity that is issued for the construction, modification, or operation of a transmission facility of national significance may demand that the holder of the certificate surrender that interest to that individual or entity if—

(I)

(aa)

the transmission facility of national significance is not in operation (as modified, in the case of a modification of a transmission facility of national significance) by the date specified in the certificate (including any modification of the certificate by the Commission); and

(bb)

there is no request for the extension of that date pending before the Commission; or

(II)

subject to clause (ii), the holder of the certificate, with the approval of the Commission, abandons the portion of the transmission facility of national significance that is located on the applicable property relating to that interest.

(ii) Requirement

The Commission may not approve in a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued under this section or in any subsequent proceeding the abandonment of all or any part of a transmission facility of national significance unless the Commission requires the holder of the applicable certificate of public convenience and necessity to offer to each individual or entity described in clause (i) the option of having the property acquired from that individual or entity as described in that clause restored to the condition that the property was in prior to the issuance of the certificate.

(B) Repayment of condemnation award

If an individual or entity described in subparagraph (A)(i) demands the surrender of an interest under that subparagraph, the holder of the applicable certificate of public convenience and necessity shall be entitled to repayment of an amount equal to not more than 50 percent of the condemnation award relating to the interest.

(C) Jurisdiction

The district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction over any action arising under this paragraph.

(2) Material misrepresentations

(A) Rescission of transaction

(i) In general

An individual or entity from which an interest in property is acquired through the exercise of the right of eminent domain under subsection (f) that proves, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the individual or entity has granted a right-of-way or any other property interest based on a material misrepresentation made by or on behalf of an applicant for, or holder of, a certificate of public convenience and necessity under this section concerning the transmission facility of national significance to be constructed, modified, or operated under the certificate shall have the right to rescind the transaction.

(ii) Jurisdiction

The district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction over any action arising under clause (i).

(B) Civil penalties

A material misrepresentation made by an applicant for, or holder of, a certificate of public convenience and necessity, or on behalf of such an applicant or holder, to an affected landowner concerning the transmission facility of national significance to be constructed, modified, or operated under the certificate, shall be considered to be a violation of this part for purposes of section 316A and such applicant or holder shall be assessed a civil penalty by the Commission in accordance with such section 316A, except the amount of such civil penalty may not exceed $10,000 per affected landowner to whom the misrepresentation was made.

(j) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Affected landowner

(A) In general

The term affected landowner includes each owner of a property interest in land or other property described in subparagraph (B), including—

(i)

the Federal Government;

(ii)

a State or local government; and

(iii)

each owner noted in the most recent county or city tax record as receiving the relevant tax notice with respect to that interest.

(B) Land and other property described

The land or other property described in this subparagraph is any land or other property—

(i)

that is directly affected by the proposed construction, modification, or operation of a transmission facility of national significance, including all facility sites;

(ii)

that is located within the greater of—

(I)

0.25 miles from a proposed facility site for a transmission facility of national significance; or

(II)

a minimum distance from the proposed transmission facility of national significance as specified by State law; or

(iii)

contains a residence that is within 3,000 feet of a proposed facility site for a transmission facility of national significance.

(2) Alternating current transmission facility

The term alternating current transmission facility means a transmission facility that uses alternating current for the bulk transmission of electric energy.

(3) Electric power transmission line

The term electric power transmission line means, as applicable—

(A)

an alternating current transmission facility;

(B)

a high-voltage, direct current transmission facility; or

(C)

infrastructure associated with an alternating current transmission facility or a high-voltage, direct current transmission facility, including substations and switchyards.

(4) Facility site

The term facility site includes—

(A)

an area covered by a right-of-way;

(B)

an access road;

(C)

a contractor yard where equipment and material are stored or where assembly work is conducted; and

(D)

any temporary workspace.

(5) High-voltage, direct current transmission facility

The term high-voltage, direct current transmission facility means a transmission facility that uses direct current for the bulk transmission of electric energy.

(6) Tribal land

The term Tribal land has the meaning given the term Indian land in section 2601 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (25 U.S.C. 3501).

(b) Conforming changes to the Federal Power Act

(a) In general

Subpart E of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after section 48E the following:

48F. Qualifying electric power transmission line credit

(a) Allowance of credit

For purposes of section 46, the qualifying electric power transmission line credit for any taxable year is an amount equal to 6 percent of the qualified investment for such taxable year with respect to any qualifying electric power transmission line property of the taxpayer.

(b) Qualified investment

(1) In general

For purposes of subsection (a), the qualified investment for any taxable year is the basis of any qualifying electric power transmission line property placed in service by the taxpayer during such taxable year.

(2) Certain qualified progress expenditures rules made applicable

Rules similar to the rules of subsections (c)(4) and (d) of section 46 (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990) shall apply for purposes of this section.

(c) Qualifying electric power transmission line property

For purposes of this section, the term qualifying electric power transmission line property means any overhead, submarine, or underground property—

(1)

which is a qualifying electric power transmission line that transmits electricity—

(A)

across no fewer than 2 States or not less than 150 continuous miles, or

(B)

across the Outer Continental Shelf (as defined in section 2 of the Outer Continental Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331)), or

(2)

which is related transmission property.

(d) Qualifying electric power transmission line

For purposes of this section—

(1) In general

The term qualifying electric power transmission line means any applicable new transmission property and any modified existing transmission property.

(2) Applicable new transmission property

(A) In general

The term applicable new transmission property means any electric power transmission line which is—

(i)

originally placed in service after the date of the enactment of this section,

(ii)

primarily used for 1 or more purposes described in subparagraph (B), and

(iii)

described in subparagraph (C).

(B) Purposes described

The purposes described in this subparagraph are—

(i)

enhancing resilience to prepare for, withstand, and recover rapidly from disruptions from the impact of weather events, wildfires, or natural disasters,

(ii)

addressing clearance concerns,

(iii)

facilitating the interconnection of electric power generation capacity to the bulk-power system (as defined in section 215 of the Federal Power Act), or

(iv)

addressing high load needs of 2,000 ampere and above.

(C) Additional requirements for new transmission property

An electric power transmission line is described in this subparagraph if—

(i)

such transmission line—

(I)

includes an advanced transmission conductor, and

(II)

is capable of transmitting electricity at a voltage of not less than 100 kilovolts, or

(ii)

such transmission line—

(I)

is a superconducting transmission line or is capable of transmitting electricity at a voltage of at least 345 kilovolts, and

(II)

has a transmission capacity of not less than 750 megawatts or is a transmission line described in subparagraph (D).

(D) Multiple transmission lines located in the same right-of-way

A transmission line is described in this subparagraph if such a transmission line—

(i)

is co-located in the same right-of-way or adjacent right-of-way as 1 or more other overhead, submarine, or underground transmission lines, and

(ii)

together with the other transmission lines described in subparagraph (A), has a transmission capacity of not less than 1,000 megawatts.

(3) Modified existing transmission property

The term modified existing transmission property means any electric power transmission line which—

(A)

was placed in service before the date of the enactment of this section,

(B)

is modified after the date of enactment of this Act in a manner that—

(i)

increases the transmission capacity of such transmission line by not less than 500 megawatts, or

(ii)

includes an advanced transmission conductor that transmits electricity at a voltage of not less than 100 kilovolts, and

(C)

after the completion of such modification, is an electric power transmission line which satisfies the requirements under subclauses (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (2)(A).

(4) Advanced transmission conductor

The term advanced transmission conductor means a transmission conductor technology that uses recently developed technology or materials such as a composite core and such other future advances as determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy.

(5) Superconducting transmission line

The term superconducting transmission line means a transmission line that conducts all of its current over a super-conducting material.

(e) Related transmission property

For purposes of this section—

(1) In general

The term related transmission property means any of the following:

(A) Transmission property used for interconnection or generator tie-line

Any electric power transmission line which is—

(i)

placed in service after the date of enactment of this section,

(ii)

primarily used—

(I)

as a generator interconnection tie line at an associated facility that extends from the secondary (high) side of a generator step-up transformer to the point of interconnection with the host transmission owner from interconnecting new generation resources or facilities to the electric grid, or

(II)

for network upgrades associated with the interconnection of new generation resources or facilities to the electric grid,

(iii)

primarily used for 1 or more purposes described in subsection (d)(2)(B), and

(iv)

capable of transmitting electricity at a voltage of not less than 230 kilovolts.

(B) Grid enhancing technology

Any grid enhancing technology property used in the operation of the electric power transmission line described in paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection (d).

(C) Subcomponents

Any conductors or cables, towers, insulators, reactors, capacitors, circuit breakers, static VAR compensators, static synchronous compensators, power converters, transformers, synchronous condensers, braking resistors, and any ancillary facilities and equipment necessary for the proper operation of the electric power transmission line described in paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection (d) or for the proper operation of any property described in subsection (d)(2).

(2) Grid enhancing technology property

The term grid enhancing technology property means power flow controls and transmission switching equipment, storage technology, and hardware or software that enables dynamic line ratings, advanced line rating management technologies, on new or existing transmission property for the purpose of enhancing the capacity, efficiency, resiliency, or reliability of an electric power transmission system and such other similar property determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy.

(f) Increased credit amount for certain transmission line property

(1) In general

In the case of any qualifying electric power transmission line property which meets the requirements of paragraph (2), the amount of credit determined under subsection (a) (determined without regard to this subsection) shall be equal to such amount multiplied by 5.

(2) Facility requirements

Qualifying electric power transmission line property shall be treated as meeting the requirements of this paragraph if—

(A)

the construction of such property meets rules similar to the rules of section 48(a)(10) (relating to prevailing wage requirements) and section 45(b)(8) (relating to apprenticeship requirements), or

(B)

the construction of such property begins before the date that is 60 days after the Secretary publishes guidance with respect to the requirements under subparagraph (A).

(g) Termination

This section shall not apply to any property the construction of which begins after December 31, 2035.

(b) Public utility property

Paragraph (2) of section 50(d) of the Internal Revenue Code is amended—

(c) Transfer of certain credits

Section 6418(f)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following:

(xiii)

The qualifying electric power transmission line credit under section 48F.

(d) Conforming amendments

(e) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to property placed in service after December 31, 2025.

(a) Definitions

In this section:

(b) Establishment of program

Not later than days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall make grants to eligible entities, States, and Indian Tribes in accordance with this section.

(c) Grants to eligible entities

(d) Grants to States and Indian Tribes

(e) Use of grants

(f) Distribution of funding

Of the amounts made available to carry out the program for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall ensure that—

(g) Technical and other assistance

(h) Matching requirement

(i) Biennial report to Congress

(j) Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the program $3,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

(k) Continued activities

The Secretary shall carry out the program, in addition to any activities authorized under Section 40103 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117–58).

(l) Davis-Bacon

All laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors in the performance of construction, alteration, or repair work on a project assisted in whole or in part by funds made available under this section (or any amendment made by this section) shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on similar projects in the locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Davis-Bacon Act), and the regulations issued thereunder at 29 CFR Part 5 (Davis-Bacon and Related Acts regulations). Compliance with these labor standards shall be a condition of receiving assistance under this section, and the Secretary concerned shall require that all contracts and subcontracts include the labor standards clauses prescribed by the Secretary of Labor.

(a) Ensuring timely review of infrastructure

Section 401(k) of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7171(k)) is amended—

(b) Direct hire authority

Section 401 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7171) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(l) Direct hire authority

(1) In general

Notwithstanding section 3304 of title 5, United States Code, and without regard to the provisions of sections 3309 through 3318 of such title 5, if the Chairman of the Commission issues a certification that there is as severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need for covered positions to carry out the Commission’s responsibilities and activities, the Chairman may, subject to paragraph (3), recruit and directly appoint highly qualified individuals into the competitive service.

(2) Limitation

Any action authorized pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be consistent with the merit principles of section 2301 of title 5, United States Code, and the Commission shall comply with the public notice requirements of section 3327 of such title 5.

(3) Termination

(A) In general

A certification issued or renewed under this subsection shall terminate on the earlier of—

(i)

the date that is 5 years after the certification is issued or renewed; or

(ii)

the date on which the Chairman determines that there is no longer a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need for covered positions to carry out the Commission’s responsibilities and activities.

(B) Renewal

The Chairman may renew a certification issued or renewed under this subsection for an additional 5-year period if the Chairman determines there is still a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need for covered positions to carry out the Commission’s responsibilities and activities.

(4) Covered position

In this subsection, the term covered position means a position in which an employee is responsible for conducting work of a scientific, technical, engineering, mathematical, legal, or otherwise highly specialized or skilled nature.

(c) Elimination of reporting sunset

Section 11004(b) of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 7171 note; Public Law 116–260) is amended—

(a) Establishment

Not later than 2 years following the enactment of this title, the Secretary of Energy shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall award grants to State regulatory authorities to increase the capacity of said authorities to evaluate filings made by utilities related to transmission and integrated resource plans, including through the hiring of economic modelers, engineers, and others with relevant expertise.

(b) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Energy such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

(a) In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Commission shall—

(b) Role of transmission monitor

An independent entity described in subsection (a) shall provide independent analysis of transmission planning and ratemaking processes by the Commission and Transmission Organizations to inform Commission proceedings, including by, as applicable—

(c) Savings clause

Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter the sole power of the Commission to, under sections 205 and 206 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824d; 824e), determine if any rates, charges, or classifications are unjust, unreasonable, or unduly discriminatory or preferential.

(d) Definitions

In this section:

(a) In general

Notwithstanding any prohibition established by a relevant electric retail regulatory authority with respect to who may bid into an organized wholesale electric market, each Transmission Organization shall, with respect to the organized wholesale electric market controlled by the Transmission Organization, allow any bid from an aggregator of retail customers that aggregates the demand flexibility of the customers of utilities that distributed more than 4 million megawatt-hours in the previous fiscal year. Such flexibility may be achieved through demand response, distributed generation, distributed storage, and community-based or municipal aggregation programs.

(b) Rulemaking

Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Commission shall promulgate a final rule pursuant to subsection (a).

(c) Standard procedures

Each Transmission Organization shall establish standardized registration, telemetry, and settlement procedures for aggregators of distributed energy resources to ensure non-discriminatory participation and data access.

(d) Definitions

In this section:

(a) Technical Conference

Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shall convene a technical conference to consider Regional Transmission Organization and Independent System Operator independence from their members interests, the responsiveness of RTOs and ISOs to consumers and other stakeholders, and ways for RTOs and ISOs to increase the equitable treatment of consumers and other stakeholders, including the effectiveness of stakeholder policies and procedures adopted in compliance with the final rule entitled Wholesale Competition in Regions With Organized Electric Markets published in the Federal Register on October 28, 2008 (73 Fed. Reg. 64100).

(b) Participation

The technical conference convened under subsection (a) shall be led by members of the Commission, and the Commission shall invite participation from representatives of each RTO and ISO, owners and operators of transmission facilities, representatives of entities that develop advanced transmission technologies, owners and operators of electric generation facilities that interconnect at either the transmission or distribution system level, including energy storage, end-use customers, electric power marketers, publicly owned electric utilities, consumer advocates, environmental justice advocates, environmental groups, State public utility commissions, State governors, and such other stakeholders as the Commission determines appropriate.

(c) Topics

In conducting the technical conference convened under subsection (a), the Commission shall seek to identify policies and procedures that maintain RTO and ISO independence, and enhance the responsiveness of RTOs and ISOs to their customers and other stakeholders, taking into consideration—

(d) Public comment

The Commission shall provide an opportunity for public comment on the technical conference convened under subsection (a).

(e) Rulemaking

Not later than 18 months after the conclusion of the technical conference convened under subsection (a), and after public notice and comment, the Commission shall promulgate a final rule adopting such policies and procedures as the Commission determines necessary to maintain the independence of RTOs and ISOs, and to enhance the transparency and responsiveness of RTOs and ISOs to their customers and other stakeholders.

(f) Definitions

In this section:

(a) Modernization of reporting information and data under the Federal Power Act

(b) Development of centralized data repository

(c) Grid research and analytics

(d) Definitions

In this section:

(a) Definitions

In this Act:

(b) Updating national goals for renewable energy production on Federal land

Section 3104 of the Energy Act of 2020 (43 U.S.C. 3004) is amended—

(c) Land use planning and updates to programmatic environmental impact statements

(d) Improving wind and solar energy project permitting