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HR 9339

Affordable Innovation for the Grid Act

119th Congress Introduced by Gabe Evans and 3 co-sponsors

The bill directs the Energy Secretary to assess how AI and high-performance computing can improve bulk-power system reliability and efficiency, including probabilistic methods, wit

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
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Bill Summary · HR 9339

Bill overview

  • Name: Affordable Innovation for the Grid Act
  • Bill number: H.R. 9339
  • Session: 119th Congress
  • Sponsor/Co-sponsors: Rep. Diana Harshbarger (sponsor), Rep. Kevin Mullin (co-sponsor)
  • Purpose: Require the Secretary of Energy to conduct an assessment of how artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) technologies can enhance the U.S. bulk-power system, including the use of probabilistic operating techniques.

Main purpose and intent

The bill aims to explore how advanced computing and AI can improve the capacity, reliability, and operational efficiency of the nation’s bulk-power system. It specifically seeks to understand current usage, potential benefits, and barriers to broader adoption, with an emphasis on probabilistic methods within AI and HPC.

Key provisions

  • Assessment mandate (Section 2(a)):

    • Within 90 days of enactment, the Secretary of Energy must initiate an assessment in collaboration with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO).
    • Focus: use of AI and HPC to enhance bulk-power system performance, including probabilistic operating techniques.

  • Scope of assessment (Section 2(b)):

    • Evaluate potential for AI/HPC to speed up generator and load interconnection studies.
    • Review current applications and adoption levels of AI/HPC in bulk-power system operation.
    • Identify technical, regulatory, cybersecurity, or operational limitations hindering adoption.

  • Report and recommendations (Section 2(c)):

    • Due within one year of enactment, the Secretary must deliver a comprehensive report to:
    • House Committee on Energy and Commerce
    • Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
    • The report should include:
    • Recommendations to overcome identified limitations (from 2(b)(3))
    • Strategies to facilitate adoption and integration of AI/HPC for bulk-power system operation

  • Definitions (Section 2(d)):

    • Provides definitions for “bulk-power system,” “Electric Reliability Organization,” and “reliable operation” as used in the bill, aligned with section 215(a) of the Federal Power Act.

Who/what is affected

  • Federal energy policymakers and regulators (Secretary of Energy, FERC, and ERO) will lead and coordinate the assessment.
  • The broader electricity sector could be impacted by subsequent policy or rulemaking informed by the assessment, should the report recommend changes to practices, standards, or regulatory approaches.
  • Industry stakeholders involved with bulk-power system planning, interconnections, cybersecurity, and grid operations may be directly affected by any changes or initiatives that arise from the assessment.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral occurred on June 18, 2026.
  • Assessment timeline: within 90 days to begin; final report due within one year of enactment.
  • Deliverables: a formal report to relevant House and Senate committees outlining findings and recommendations.

Potential impact

If enacted, the bill would establish a formal, government-led review of how AI and HPC can modernize grid operations, potentially accelerating pilot programs, regulatory pilots, or standards discussions to improve interconnection processes, reliability, and efficiency through advanced computing technologies.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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