HB 25-1260: Electrical Generation & Distribution Resiliency

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

The bill requires the public utilities commission (commission) to evaluate electrical generation and grid resilience against geomagnetic storms (evaluation) and report the findings of the evaluation to the general assembly. The bill requires each electrical utility that is subject to the jurisdiction of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation to annually submit a critical energy infrastructure information request to the federal energy regulatory commission. If the utility receives the permission, each of these electrical utilities must annually brief the general assembly on the utility's contingency action plan and any information necessary to: Evaluate the ability of and identify shortfalls to restoring electrical power operation, fuel delivery, and equipment function within specified time frames following certain types of geomagnetic storms; and Evaluate the certification of hardware and software monitoring and controlling systems for energy generation and distribution. The bill sets standards for the evaluation. Based on the evaluation, the commission shall adopt rules requiring an electrical utility to meet resiliency standards for geomagnetic storms. The rules include: Requiring the monitoring of the space weather prediction center of the national oceanic and atmospheric administration in order to isolate large power transformers and power generation from the grid; Mechanically isolating critical components if or when a coronal mass ejection is likely to cause geomagnetically induced currents; Restricting or closing fuel pipeline valves to mitigate damage in a sectional failure; Installing automatic neutral ground blocking devices in large power transformers; Ensuring that computer equipment can be mechanically isolated from the grid and sheltered from geomagnetically induced surges; Requiring all networked systems that operate electrical generation and distribution to be electronically and physically separable from the outside networks; and Requiring the cyber-certification of hardware and software that operate electrical generation and distribution. (Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.) (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 5 · Republican 11

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 23, 2025Senate Committee on Transportation & Energy Postpone Indefinitely
2. April 15, 2025Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Transportation & Energy
3. April 14, 2025House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
4. April 11, 2025House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
5. April 6, 2025House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
6. April 4, 2025House Second Reading Laid Over to 04/06/2025 - No Amendments
7. March 31, 2025House Committee on Finance Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
8. March 5, 2025House Committee on Energy & Environment Refer Amended to Finance
9. February 13, 2025Introduced In House - Assigned to Energy & Environment