Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 545.
This bill renews and updates a federal program that gives money and technical help to small and rural electric utilities so they can better protect themselves from cyberattacks. It allows up to $250 million in funding over five years (2026 through 2030). If this passes, smaller electric companies and rural co-ops would have access to grants and expertise to upgrade their cybersecurity defenses.
Small and rural electric utilities are among the most vulnerable targets for cyberattacks, and a successful hack could knock out power for entire communities or even nearby military bases. This bill would send up to $250 million in federal grants and expert help to these utilities over five years to strengthen their digital defenses.