Electric Reliability Improvement Act of 2003

H.R. 3004, the Electric Reliability Improvement Act of 2003, seeks to strengthen the stability of the nation’s power grid by establishing mandatory, enforceable reliability standards for the bulk-power system. The bill would authorize the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to oversee a specialized Electric Reliability Organization responsible for creating and enforcing these rules for all owners and operators of the power grid.

For everyday citizens, this legislation aims to reduce the frequency and severity of large-scale power outages by ensuring that utility companies follow uniform safety and operational protocols. While the bill focuses on improving the coordination and reliability of electricity delivery across state and international lines, it does not grant the federal government the power to order the construction of new power plants or set local safety standards.