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HD 4620

An Act to improve energy grid resiliency throughout the Commonwealth

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by John Gaskey

HD 4620 - An Act to Improve Energy Grid Resiliency OverviewBill Number: HD 4620 Title: An Act to improve energy grid resiliency throughout the Commonwealth Status: Referred to th

Referred to the committee on House Rules
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Bill Summary · HD 4620

HD 4620 - An Act to Improve Energy Grid Resiliency

Overview

Bill Number: HD 4620
Title: An Act to improve energy grid resiliency throughout the Commonwealth
Status: Referred to the committee on House Rules
Introduced: May 15, 2025

Purpose and Intent

This proposed legislation aims to enhance the resilience and reliability of the state's electric power grid in the face of increasingly frequent and severe weather events driven by climate change. The bill's primary goal is to ensure the grid can withstand disruptions and quickly restore power to homes and businesses across the Commonwealth.

Key Provisions

  • Requires the state's electric utilities to develop and implement comprehensive grid modernization plans, including:
    • Upgrading transmission and distribution infrastructure to be more weather-resistant
    • Expanding use of microgrids, battery storage, and other distributed energy resources
    • Improving vegetation management and tree trimming around power lines
  • Establishes a $500 million Grid Resilience Fund to provide grants and low-interest loans to utilities for eligible grid hardening projects
  • Directs the state energy agency to set new reliability standards for utilities, including minimum thresholds for outage duration and frequency
  • Mandates that all new electricity generation and storage projects incorporate climate resilience measures

Affected Parties and Impacts

The bill would impact all electric utility companies operating in the state, requiring them to make significant investments in grid modernization and resilience. Consumers would benefit from a more reliable power supply and reduced outages during extreme weather. The state energy agency would take on new regulatory responsibilities to oversee utility compliance and grid performance.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

HD 4620 was recently introduced in the state legislature and has been referred to the House Rules committee for initial consideration. If approved by the committee, the bill would then proceed to the full House for debate and a vote. If passed by the House, it would move to the Senate for further review before potentially reaching the governor's desk for signature into law. The timeline for the bill's progression remains uncertain, but legislative leaders have indicated a desire to act quickly to address grid resilience concerns.

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

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