DOE GRIP reauthorization bill introduced + SPARK/GRIP/GRFF awards progress + House passes grid/cybersecurity package (SECURE Grid Act now in Senate)
Key Questions
What is the GRIP reauthorization bill introduced by Cornyn and Padilla?
The bill extends federal funding for state-level grid resilience programs under GRIP. It aims to support ongoing state investments in grid hardening and modernization efforts.
What grid and cybersecurity legislation passed the House?
The House passed the SECURE Grid Act along with the Rural/Municipal Cybersecurity Act as part of a bipartisan package. The SECURE Grid Act has advanced to the Senate and focuses on new grant streams for rural co-ops and municipalities.
What are the timelines and amounts for DOE SPARK and GRIP awards?
DOE SPARK awards totaling about $1.9 billion are expected in August 2026. GRIP Round 2 provides $4.3 billion in federal funding for 58 projects across 44 states.
What funding did Oregon's EWEB receive and for what projects?
EWEB was awarded $2.2 million for undergrounding, pole replacement, and substation modernization, with a 25% local share and completion targeted for 2030. The funding supports all-hazards grid hardening.
What changes are happening in Massachusetts for battery storage siting?
A new consolidated BESS siting framework takes effect July 1, 2026, to streamline permitting. It supports the state's goal of deploying 5 GW of storage to enhance grid resilience.
New federal GRIP reauthorization bill (Cornyn-Padilla) introduced to extend funding for state-level grid resilience programs. House passed a grid hardening and cybersecurity legislative package (SECURE Grid Act, Rural/Municipal Cybersecurity Act) on June 29, 2026 — bipartisan momentum for new grant streams for rural co-ops and munis. The SECURE Grid Act has now advanced to the Senate. DOE SPARK ~$1.9B awards expected Aug 2026; GRIP R2 $4.3B federal for 58 projects in 44 states. GRFF $13M subgrants for all-hazards hardening, stacking with VGRIP. FEMA BRIC $1B relaunch prioritizes shovel-ready hardening/microgrids/wildfire with tighter BCA. Oregon's EWEB awarded $2.2M for undergrounding/pole replacement/substation modernization (25% local share, 2030 completion). SunZia fully operational — HVDC resilience signal. Massachusetts: new consolidated BESS siting framework effective July 1, 2026, streamlining permitting for 5 GW storage target, enabling grid resilience deployment.