Amid Wildfires Devastating Communities and Forests Nationwide, Wyden Introduces Legislation to Supercharge Rural Energy Resilience

August 02, 2024

Amid Wildfires Devastating Communities and Forests Nationwide, Wyden Introduces Legislation to Supercharge Rural Energy Resilience

Legislation would unlock $25 million to empower public utilities to better serve and reduce risk in their local communities

Washington, D.C. - Amid wildfires devastating communities and forests nationwide, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced the introduction of legislation that would give public utilities the opportunity to access federal funding to make energy grids more resilient against various hazards ranging from climate disasters to cyberattacks.

Wildfires can damage or destroy critical components of the energy grid such as power lines, leading to widespread outages and even more fires across America. As public utilities diligently serve regions with the highest wildfire risk, their small size and limited funds prevent them from accessing current federal funding to help bolster energy grids. Modernizing the energy grid through wildfire-resistant infrastructure is essential to not only meeting the growing need for energy, but also reaching America's clean energy goals.

The Grid Resilience Improvement through Dedicated Assistance Act (GRID Assistance Act) would unlock $25 million through the Department of Energy to recruit Grid Assistants, who are experts in supporting public utilities with applying for the funding needed to expand or bolster their energy infrastructure.

"With wildfires wreaking havoc all over the West Coast, Pacific Northwesters are looking for solutions to combat these climate disasters that tear through our treasured lands, destroy property, and even turn deadly," Wyden said. "Public utilities work tirelessly to provide Americans with clean energy at low costs. My bill will help these public utilities expand and enhance energy grids nationwide so that families and businesses can keep their lights on for low prices and without fear of sparking new fires."

"The Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association appreciates Senator Wyden's unwavering commitment in assisting Oregon's electric cooperatives as we attempt to access federal resources to support our aggressive wildfire mitigation efforts. The GRID Assistance Act gives small rural utilities their best opportunity yet to access these critical federal funds for system hardening improvements in high-risk wildfire areas," said Ted Case, executive director of ORECA.

The legislation is endorsed by the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

A one-pager for the bill is here. The text of the bill is here.

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