State Planning for Reliability and Affordability Act
State Planning for Reliability and Affordability Act
Plain Language Summary
# State Planning for Reliability and Affordability Act (HR 3628) - Summary **What the bill does:** This bill requires state utility regulators to ensure that certain electric companies plan for reliable electricity supply over the next 10 years. It specifically targets utilities that use "integrated resource plans" (long-term forecasts of electricity needs) rather than those using market-based pricing systems. States would need to make sure these utilities either maintain reliable power plants or secure reliable electricity from other sources to meet demand. **Who it affects:** The bill mainly impacts state utility regulators and electric companies that use integrated resource planning methods. Indirectly, it affects electricity consumers in those states by potentially influencing energy costs and grid reliability.
The bill focuses on reliable generation sources—meaning power plants that can consistently produce electricity—as opposed to relying entirely on variable sources like wind and solar. **Current status:** The bill passed the House and is pending further action. It was sponsored by Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO) and deals with energy policy decisions typically made at the state level rather than federal level.
CRS Official Summary
State Planning for Reliability and Affordability ActThis bill requires certain state authorities that regulate electric utilities to consider the establishment of measures regarding the reliable availability of electricity over specified time periods. These requirements would apply to electric utilities that use integrated resource plans—plans that project future electricity use to ensure resource adequacy, as opposed to utilities that rely on capacity markets, which use price trends for resource planning.Specifically, the state authorities must consider requiring the integrated resource plans of electric utilities to include measures to ensure the reliable availability of electric energy over a 10-year period to maintain the operation of reliable generation facilities or the procurement of electric energy from reliable generation facilities.The bill defines reliable generation facilities as facilities thatenable the generation of electric energy on a continuous basis over a period of not fewer than 30 days; have adequate fuel or a continuously available energy source on-site to enable the continuous generation of electric energy for at least 30 days, or have contractual obligations that achieve the same;have operational characteristics to enable the generation of electric energy during emergency and severe weather conditions; andprovide services such as frequency support and voltage support.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.