HR 3616 United States House · 119th Congress

Reliable Power Act

The Reliable Power Act requires the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) to conduct annual assessments of the U.S. power grid's ability to maintain reliable electricity supply, including analyzing generation resources, transmission needs, and risks of shortages during extreme weather. If the ERO identifies a risk of insufficient generation, it notifies the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which then alerts federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) developing regulations affecting power generation. These agencies must submit proposed regulations for FERC review before finalizing them, and FERC can recommend changes to prevent reliability risks, with agencies required to respond to FERC’s comments. The bill directly affects federal agencies creating energy-related rules and aims to prevent power shortages by integrating grid reliability into the rulemaking process.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2025

Committee Review

Dec 2025

House Passage

Dec 2025

Senate Passage

President

Introduced May 29, 2025 Last action Dec 18, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced in House → Engrossed in House · 3 edits · Dec 17, 2025

MINOR

The Engrossed version makes two minor clarifying edits changing 'energy' to 'electric energy' in the long-term assessment provisions, and removes 'regional entities' from the list of parties FERC must consult when commenting on covered agency actions during a generation inadequacy state. The removal of regional entities narrows the consultation process, potentially reducing the input that regional reliability organizations have on federal regulations affecting power generation.

REQUIREMENT

Removed 'regional entities' from the list of parties FERC must consult with when providing comments on covered agency actions during a generation inadequacy state. Previously FERC consulted with the ERO, regional entities, and transmission organizations; now only the ERO and transmission organizations.

TECHNICAL

Changed 'energy demand trends' to 'electric energy demand trends' in the long-term assessment analysis provision for greater precision.

Changed 'supply sufficient energy' to 'supply sufficient electric energy' in the determination of whether additional generation resources are necessary, again for precision.

Floor votes · House Dec 17, 2025

How they voted

225–203

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 433

Dec 17, 2025

D Democratic213

7 Yea 203 Nay 3

95% Nay

I Independent1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican219

217 Yea 2

99% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Dec 18, 2025

Committee

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

upper

Dec 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 203 (Roll no. 347). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H6000)

lower

Dec 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 203 (Roll no. 347).

lower

Dec 16, 2025

Lower · Passed

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 951 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4776, H.R. 1366, H.R. 845, H.R. 3616, H.R. 3632 and H.R. 4371. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4776, under a structured rule and H.R. 1366, H.R. 845, H.R. 3616, H.R. 3632, and H.R. 4371 under a closed rule. The resolution provides one motion to recommit on each bill.

lower

Nov 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Supplemental report filed by the Committee on Energy and Commerce, H. Rept. 119-302, Part II.

lower

Sep 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-302.

lower

Jun 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

lower

Jun 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 14.

lower

Jun 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

lower

Jun 3, 2025

Committee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.

lower

May 29, 2025

Committee

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

lower

May 29, 2025

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

1 primary · 20 co-sponsors