Image for illustrative purposes

U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening America’s electric supply chain to reduce the risk of power outages and meet rising energy demand. The Electric Supply Chain Act would require the Department of Energy to conduct regular assessments of consumption trends, vulnerabilities, and workforce challenges across the nation’s electricity transmission infrastructure, including distribution lines, transformers, and other critical equipment.

The legislation mandates comprehensive reviews of the supply chain to identify opportunities to improve security, reliability, and domestic manufacturing of electricity components, while addressing barriers such as critical mineral processing, workforce shortages, and investment challenges. It also considers national and energy security implications.

“Demand for energy is continuing to grow across the country,” said Sen. Moran. “It is critical that the Department of Energy tracks trends to recognize vulnerabilities and protect national energy security.” Sen. Cortez Masto added that the bill ensures supply chains can meet increasing electricity demand and prevent power outages.

The legislation complements similar measures recently passed in the U.S. House of Representatives and is endorsed by organizations including the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE), and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA).

Industry leaders highlighted that the bill supports domestic grid modernization, investment in American-made components, and strategies to maintain the reliability and affordability of the nation’s power infrastructure.

Source: moran.senate.gov