Heinrich, Wyden, Padilla Introduce Legislation to Strengthen America’s Electric Grid, Improve Data and Models for Energy Reliability

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) introduced two bills to bolsterthe nation's power grid by improving data and modelsto better understand and predict electric reliability.

More granular data is needed to better understand weather impacts on energy resources and demands, especially as extreme weather eventsexacerbated by climate change increase in frequency. Reliability data is also requiredat the community level to identify potential disparities and ensure energy equity.

The Grid Reliability and Integrated Data (GRIData) Act will helputilitycustomers understand where energy reliability improvements are needed- especiallyin rural and low-income communities - and how weather impacts the ability for power generation systems to meet expected electricity demands.

Additionally, improved models are needed to account for increasing uncertainties associated with a rapidly changing grid.

The Grid Modeling of Dynamic Energy Loads and Resources (Grid MODEL) Act willensure that models used for energy resource planning include key uncertainties, like weather, when being used to determine the optimal mix of energy resourcestomeet electricity demands.

"We must ensure that New Mexicans have the right resources to keep the lights on during extreme weather events and disasters exacerbated by climate change - especially in rural communities," said Heinrich. "I'm proud to introduce the GRIData and Grid MODEL Acts, two bills that will strengthen our nation's electrical grid by improving the data and models to help usbuild outa cleaner and smarterpower system."

"As the climate crisis brings on more dangerous weather and disasters, Oregonians have faced prolonged power outages when the grid goes down," said Wyden. "Oregonians are already experiencing the effects of changing rain and snowfall levels on our hydropower, and the threats that winter storms and wildfires pose to our power grid. Understanding how the changing climate will impact how we produce and use the cheap, clean, and reliable energy that Oregon has in abundance will be essential to making sure that Oregonians - especially those in rural and low-income communities - don't bake in the summer and freeze in the winter."

"Increasingly frequent extreme weather events pose major threats to our electric grid," said Padilla. "Improving access to small-scale data and models is crucial for strengthening grid reliability in the face of the climate crisis. California is already successfully implementing stronger grid modeling standards, and these bills will enact similar provisions to help strengthen grid resiliency across the nation."

Specifically, the GRIData Act would:

The text of the GRIData Act is here.

A one-page bill summary is here.

The Grid MODEL Act would improve the reliability and adequacy of the bulk power systemby ensuring key uncertainties in generation, transmission, energy storage systems, and loads are included in long-term reliability planning.

Specifically, the Grid MODEL Act would:

The text of the Grid MODEL Act is here.