This bill allows electric utilities receiving federal emergency assistance for power restoration to also perform hazard mitigation activities. Utilities can receive both emergency restoration and FEMA hazard mitigation funding for the same facilities.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill allows electric utilities receiving federal emergency assistance for power restoration to also perform hazard mitigation activities. Utilities can receive both emergency restoration and FEMA hazard mitigation funding for the same facilities.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Promoting Opportunities to Widen Electrical Resilience Act of 2025 or the POWER Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill authorizes electric utilities receiving certain emergency assistance for the restoration of power to also carry out cost-effective hazard mitigation activities in combination with the power restoration activities. </p><p>Additionally, the bill specifies that electric utilities receiving such assistance for a facility may, if otherwise eligible, also receive hazard mitigation assistance for the same facility under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Public Assistance program. </p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Allows hazard mitigation during power restoration
Combines emergency and mitigation assistance
Applies to federal emergency power restoration aid
Permits FEMA Public Assistance for same facility
Improves electrical grid resilience
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Electric utilities rebuilding after disasters could simultaneously upgrade infrastructure to prevent future outages, rather than just restoring the same vulnerable systems. This builds long-term grid resilience while addressing immediate restoration needs.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Emergency Management
Related Subjects
Electric power generation and transmission
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
164, 119th Congress (2025). "POWER Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-164
