August 15, 2025
Mrs. Torres of California introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
To direct the Secretary of Energy to carry out a demonstration program for projects that improve electric grid resilience with respect to wildfires, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Wildfire Grid Resiliency Act
.
Sec. 2. Resilience Accelerator Demonstration Program
(a) In general
The Secretary of Energy, acting through the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response of the Department of Energy, shall carry out a demonstration program, to be known as the Resilience Accelerator Demonstration Program
(in this section referred to as the Program
), to make awards to National Laboratories for projects that demonstrate innovative technologies to improve electric grid resilience with respect to wildfires.
(b) Eligible projects
The Secretary of Energy may make an award under the Program to facilitate a project that demonstrates an innovative technology to improve electric grid resilience with respect to wildfires, including—
(1)
a project that demonstrates an innovative technology for monitoring vegetation management; and
(2)
a project that demonstrates an innovative technology to enhance the safety of first responders who respond to electric grid emergencies.
(c) Definitions
In this section:
(1) National Laboratory
The term National Laboratory has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
(2) Resilience
The term resilience has the meaning given such term in section 1304A of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17384a).
(d) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Program $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029.