Fedorchak introduces bill to prevent premature retirement of reliable baseload power
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) introduced the Baseload Reliability Protection Act, to prohibit the retirement of reliable baseload generators in regions identified as being at elevated or high risk of electricity shortfalls. The legislation is cosponsored by Representatives August Pfluger (R-TX), Carol Miller (R-WV), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Randy Weber (R-TX), Michael Rulli (R-OH), Craig Goldman (R-TX), and Troy Downing (R-MT).
“Reliable, always-available electricity is the backbone of our modern economy and our national security. Yet across the country, electricity providers are shutting down large amounts of dependable baseload generation—plants that can ramp up or down to meet demand—before replacements are in place that can do the same job,” Fedorchak said. “Meanwhile, power demand is growing rapidly to fuel AI and manufacturing. The most obvious first step to secure the grid and meet new demand is to stop retiring the reliable generation we already have. This commonsense solution provides grid operators, FERC, and DOE tools they need to preserve reliability at a time when every megawatt counts.”
“Reliable, dispatchable power is the foundation of our electric grid. Proud to support my friend Rep. Fedorchak’s legislation to ensure the federal government does not prematurely take baseload power offline in high-risk areas,” Pfluger said.
“It is essential that our nation has a consistent, reliable power grid to depend on. That is why I am happy to help introduce the Baseload Reliability Protection Act. This legislation quite literally keeps the lights on and ensures that our time-tested power sources like coal, nuclear, and natural gas plants are there to provide support for our grid when needed, especially in areas of elevated risk of electricity shortfalls,” Miller said.
“If left unchecked, burdensome rules and regulations will push our most reliable baseload power generation into early retirement, jeopardizing the reliability of our electric grid,” Balderson said. “As we continue to see a manufacturing resurgence and an explosion in AI technology, House Republicans are working around the clock to ensure America has the robust power generation needed to fuel our economy, support innovation, and keep the lights on for families and businesses across the country.”
Earlier this year, Fedorchak took to the House Floor to offer five solutions to the nation’s grid reliability crisis. She cited the premature shutdown of reliable baseload power sources, without dependable replacements, as the primary driver of this crisis. Fedorchak also introduced H. Res. 290, a resolution recognizing the urgent and growing threats to the reliability of America’s electric grid.
BACKGROUND:
The Baseload Reliability Protection Act directly addresses warnings from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), which identified two-thirds of the U.S. as being at elevated or high risk of blackouts. The bill would prohibit the retirement of critical baseload generators in regions identified by NERC as being at elevated or high risk of blackouts.
Specifically, the Baseload Reliability Protection Act amends the Federal Power Act to:
Prohibit the retirement or conversion of critical dispatchable generators in areas identified by NERC as having an elevated reliability risk.
Protect qualifying generators from penalties for noncompliance with environmental regulations, as under sec. 202(c) of the Federal Power Act.
Provide exemptions when continued operation poses safety risks or is not economically viable.
Allows the Department of Energy (DOE) to offer grants and loans to generators needed for reliability to support necessary plant upgrades and extend operational life.
Supports implementation of President Trump’s Executive Order 14262 to keep reliable power plants running without adding costs to household electricity bills.
CLICK HERE to read the one-pager on the bill.
CLICK HERE to read the legislation.
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