Griffith Celebrates House Passage of Bill to Deliver Reliable, Affordable Electric Power to American Communities

The U.S. House of Representatives passed Rep. Griffith's H.R. 3632, the Power Plant Reliability Act of 2025.

This legislation amends Section 207 of the Federal Power Act to allow a Regional Transmission Operator (RTO) or state Public Utility Commission to petition the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue an order to keep a power plant open and to allocate any potential operational or transmission costs needed to fix a grid reliability issue. Under the bill, electric power plants that plan to retire are required to issue a public closure notice five years in advance.

House Republican leaders praised passage of Congressman Griffith's measure.

"Closures of baseload power plants due to burdensome 'Green New Scam' regulations are making America's energy supply and the millions of Americans who rely on it vulnerable. Thankfully, House Republicans passed legislation this week to allow states and regional operators to contest proposed closures on power plants if the closure could impact electric reliability. I'm grateful to Rep. Griffith for introducing the Power Plant Reliability Act and for all his work to ensure we're able to keep the lights on for American families at an affordable rate."- House Majority Leader Steve Scalise

"As artificial intelligence becomes more prominent, the need for a reliable American energy supply has never been higher. Meanwhile, Democrats took us backwards with Green New Scam policies that stifled American energy under the Biden administration. My friend, Representative Griffith, addresses both of these concerns with his commonsense Power Plant Reliability Act. I'm grateful for his leadership on this important issue and look forward to working alongside our entire House Republican team to make America's energy supply strong, secure, and affordable again." - House Majority Whip Tom Emmer

"House Republicans are doing what the Democrats' regulatory agenda won't do: Delivering reliable, affordable American energy. This bill keeps critical power plants online and lowers costs for families who got crushed by President Biden's anti-energy agenda." - House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain

"To support reliable and affordable electricity for hard-working American families, we cannot afford to take baseload power offline. The Power Plant Reliability Act enhances the tools available to states and grid operators to keep vital power plants operational and prevent blackouts. The ongoing reliability crisis facing our nation has been caused by Democrat policies designed to drive out baseload power in favor of wind and solar that cannot meet our needs. Thank you to Chairman Griffith for leading this critical legislation to strengthen our grid and lower electricity prices." - House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie

"Because of radical 'Green New Deal' policies that shun reliable forms of energy like natural gas, coal and nuclear, our electric grid faces a brewing crisis of premature baseload power plant retirements. My bill, the Power Plant Reliability Act, will help shield Americans from blackout threats and ensure the reliable delivery of power to American homes, factories and communities. Thanks to strong leaders like Speaker Johnson, Leader Scalise, Whip Emmer, Chairwoman McClain, Chairman Guthrie and Chairwoman Foxx, the United States Congress is focused on supporting affordable and reliable energy solutions for the American people." - Representative Morgan Griffith

Industry leaders also expressed support for Congressman Griffith's bill.

"Time and again when winter cold hits, it's coal that comes to the reliability rescue. Congressman Griffith's Power Plant Reliability Act will ensure that reliable coal power remains available to keep the lights on and homes warm by preventing the premature retirement of much needed coal plants. We simply can't afford to close plants that provide affordable and dependable power to Americans." - Rich Nolan, President and CEO, National Mining Association

BACKGROUND

In June, the Energy and Commerce Committee favorably reported Congressman Griffith's measure. During that markup hearing, Congressman Griffith spoke in support of his bill.

Congressman Griffith has long held concerns about the early retirement of Virginia's and regional electric power plants, including the impacts on electric bills in Southwest Virginia.

In June, Congressman Griffith penned a Washington Examiner op-ed that discussed bolstering America's electric grid.

Congressman Griffith serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional Coal Caucus.

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