[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3157 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3157
To amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to add a
standard related to the evaluation of State intermittent energy
policies, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 1, 2025
Mr. Langworthy (for himself and Mr. Evans of Colorado) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to add a
standard related to the evaluation of State intermittent energy
policies, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``State Energy Accountability Act''.
SEC. 2. CONSIDERATION OF EFFECTS OF STATE POLICIES ON RELIABLE
AVAILABILITY OF ELECTRIC ENERGY.
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) Evaluation of effects of state policies on reliable
availability of electric energy.--
``(A) In general.--Each State regulatory authority
that implements an intermittent energy policy shall
conduct, and make publicly available, a general
evaluation of--
``(i) the effects of implementing the
intermittent energy policy on the reliability
of the bulk-power system in the State,
including an assessment of the adequacy of
available electric energy resources over a 10-
year period;
``(ii) the ability of electric energy
resources that comply with the requirements of
the intermittent energy policy to meet electric
energy demand during emergencies, periods of
high demand, or extreme weather events;
``(iii) the effects of implementing the
intermittent energy policy on rates charged by
electric utilities;
``(iv) whether reliable generation
facilities that are removed from service in
order to comply with the requirements of the
intermittent energy policy can be replaced with
sufficient electric generation facilities
meeting such requirements, which have a
capacity accreditation that is equivalent to
the capacity accreditation of the removed
facilities, to maintain the reliability of the
bulk-power system in the State; and
``(v) the extent to which implementation of
the intermittent energy policy requires
electric utilities in the State to use
replacement electric energy supplies that are
generated by reliable generation facilities
located outside the State in order to maintain
the reliability of the bulk-power system in the
State.
``(B) Prior state actions.--Notwithstanding section
124 and paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 112(a), each
State regulatory authority shall consider and make a
determination concerning the standard set out in
subparagraph (A) in accordance with the requirements of
subsections (a) and (b) of this section, without regard
to any proceedings commenced prior to the enactment of
this paragraph.
``(C) Time limitation.--Notwithstanding subsections
(b) and (c) of section 112, each State regulatory
authority shall consider and make a determination
concerning whether it is appropriate to implement the
standard set out in subparagraph (A) not later than 1
year after the date of enactment of this paragraph.
``(D) Public availability.--A State regulatory
authority that has made a determination concerning
whether to implement, and is implementing, the standard
set out in subparagraph (A) shall make publicly
available the general evaluation described in such
subparagraph--
``(i) if the applicable State has adopted
an intermittent energy policy before the date
on which the State regulatory authority makes
such determination, not later than 1 year after
such date of determination; and
``(ii) if the applicable State adopts an
intermittent energy policy after the date on
which the State regulatory authority makes such
determination, not later than 1 year after the
date of such adoption.
``(E) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
``(i) Bulk-power system.--The term `bulk-
power system' has the meaning given that term
in section 215 of the Federal Power Act (16
U.S.C. 824o).
``(ii) Intermittent energy policy.--The
term `intermittent energy policy' means any
requirement of a State, enforced by a State
regulatory authority, that a State regulated
electric utility ensure that a specified
portion of the electric energy sold by such
electric utility is generated by facilities
that are not reliable generation facilities.
``(iii) Reliable generation facility.--The
term `reliable generation facility' means an
electric generation facility that ensures the
reliable availability of electric energy by--
``(I) having operational
characteristics to enable the
generation of electric energy on a
continuous basis for a period of not
fewer than 30 days;
``(II) having--
``(aa) adequate fuel, or a
continuously available energy
source, on-site to enable the
generation of electric energy
on a continuous basis for a
period of not fewer than 30
days; or
``(bb) contractual
obligations that ensure
adequate fuel supply to achieve
the generation of electric
energy on a continuous basis
for a period of not fewer than
30 days;
``(III) having operational
characteristics to enable the
generation of electric energy during
emergency and severe weather
conditions; and
``(IV) providing essential services
related to the reliable availability of
electric energy, including frequency
support and voltage support.''.
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