This bill prohibits electric power plants from retiring or switching fuel sources in regions where the grid operator identifies a high or elevated risk of power shortages. The ban applies to large, dispatchable power plants (25+ megawatts) that aren't powered by intermittent renewables, and only in areas served by regional grid operators. Owners can petition the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for exemptions within 90 days if they can demonstrate unprofitability, worker safety risks, or that retirement won't harm grid reliability—exemptions may be granted within 90 to 180 days depending on the circumstance. If the commission finds a plant necessary for reliability but unprofitable, it refers the case to the Department of Energy, which may provide grants or loans using existing infrastructure funding to keep the plant operating. The bill also requires standardized criteria for assessing grid risk and explicitly prohibits the commission from considering greenhouse gas emissions when deciding exemption petitions. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission must report to Congress within one year on whether current enforcement tools are adequate.
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