S. 4806 – POWER Up Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated June 25, 2026 at 4:22 AM UTC

The POWER Up Act amends the Federal Power Act to make clear that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has authority over connecting large‑load facilities—those with a projected peak demand of 100 MW or more—to interstate transmission lines. It defines what constitutes a large‑load facility, requires FERC to issue rules for standardized interconnection procedures, and confirms that state and local governments retain control over siting, permitting, distribution, retail service, and generation matters.

Key Provisions

Adds a new subsection (h) to Section 201 of the Federal Power Act defining a “large load facility” as any single site or contiguous sites under common ownership with a projected peak demand of 100 MW or more, subject to adjustment by FERC rules.
Gives FERC jurisdiction over the interconnection of any large‑load facility to one or more interstate transmission facilities, treating such interconnections as part of open‑access transmission service and subject to existing sections 201, 205, and 206.
Requires FERC, within 18 months of enactment, to issue a final rule establishing standardized interconnection procedures and agreements, including for hybrid facilities that combine load and generation, and to create a testing framework for transmission facilities to support these interconnections.
Specifies that the amendment does not affect state or local authority over siting, permitting, construction, retail electric service or rates, local distribution facilities, or electricity generation.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

June 17, 2026

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

June 17, 2026

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

June 17, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued June 17, 2026

II

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 4806

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

June 17, 2026

Ms. Lummis introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

A BILL

To clarify that the interconnection of large load facilities directly to facilities used for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce is a matter within the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Promoting Oversight of Wholesale Energy Reliability Act or the POWER Up Act.

2.

Clarification of Federal jurisdiction over large load interconnection

Section 201 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(h)

Jurisdiction over large load interconnection

(1)

Definitions

In this subsection:

(A)

Commission

The term Commission means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

(B)

Large load facility

(i)

In general

The term large load facility means any facility, or group of facilities described in clause (ii), the projected aggregate peak electricity demand of which is 100 megawatts or greater, subject to clause (iii).

(ii)

Group of facilities described

A group of facilities referred to in clause (i) is a group of facilities—

(I)

under common ownership or control; and

(II)

located at—

(aa)

a single site; or

(bb)

contiguous sites.

(iii)

Adjustment

The Commission may, by rule, adjust the projected aggregate peak electricity demand at which a facility, or a group of facilities described in clause (ii), will be considered to be a large load facility, as the Commission determines to be necessary to ensure—

(I)

the reliability of the bulk-power system (as defined in section 215(a)); and

(II)

the provision of just, reasonable, and not unduly discriminatory or preferential transmission service.

(2)

Jurisdiction over interconnection

(A)

In general

The Commission shall have jurisdiction over the interconnection of any large load facility to 1 or more facilities used for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce.

(B)

Treatment

The interconnection of a large load facility as described in subparagraph (A) shall be—

(i)

subject to the requirements of this section, section 205, and section 206; and

(ii)

considered to be a component of open access transmission service.

(3)

Rulemaking

Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Commission shall issue a final rule establishing—

(A)

standardized procedures and agreements for the interconnection of large load facilities, including procedures for hybrid facilities that combine large load and generation at a single point of interconnection; and

(B)

a test for transmission facilities to aid in the interconnection of large load facilities and transmission facilities, including transmission lines.

(4)

Preservation of State authority

Nothing in this subsection affects the authority of any State or local government over—

(A)

the siting, permitting, or construction of any facility;

(B)

retail electric service or rates;

(C)

facilities used in the local distribution of electric energy; or

(D)

the generation of electric energy.

.