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The House voted 222-202 to pass H.R. 3632, which allows federal regulators to block power plants from closing to prevent electricity shortages.
The Power Plant Reliability Act of 2025 (H.R. 3632) seeks to prevent energy shortages by giving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the authority to order power plants to remain operational for up to five years if grid stability is at risk. The bill also requires plant owners to provide at least five years' notice before retiring a facility and provides legal immunity from environmental laws for plants forced to operate under these federal orders. This was a vote on final passage in the House of Representatives. In this stage of the legislative process, a simple majority of members present and voting is required to approve the bill and send it to the Senate for consideration. The bill passed on a narrow, party-line vote, with Republicans supporting the measure as a way to ensure grid reliability and Democrats largely opposing it due to concerns over environmental impacts and the potential delay in transitioning to cleaner energy sources. The bill now moves to the Senate.
The bill has been received in the Senate, read twice, and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. This bill marks a significant shift in energy policy by allowing the federal government to override market-driven power plant closures, potentially keeping older or more polluting plants online to ensure the lights stay on.
Who’s affected. Electricity Consumers: May face fewer power shortages but could see higher utility bills to compensate plants forced to stay open. · Power Plant Owners: Required to give much longer notice before shutting down and may be compelled to continue operations against their financial plans. · Environmental Groups: Concerned about the bill's provision allowing plants to bypass environmental laws when ordered to stay open.
Democrats. The vast majority of Democrats (199) voted against the bill, though 7 members broke with their party to support it.
Republicans. Republicans overwhelmingly supported the measure (214-3), arguing it is necessary to prevent blackouts and energy instability.
On Passage
Dec 16, 2025
The House voted 222-202 to pass H.R.
3632, which allows federal regulators to block power plants from closing to prevent electricity shortages.
This was a final vote in the House to determine whether the bill should be approved and sent to the Senate. Because the 'yea' votes outnumbered the 'nay' votes, the bill successfully passed the chamber.
The bill has been received in the Senate, read twice, and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
This bill marks a significant shift in energy policy by allowing the federal government to override market-driven power plant closures, potentially keeping older or more polluting plants online to ensure the lights stay on.
The vote was almost entirely divided along party lines, with Republicans providing the necessary votes for passage.
The vast majority of Democrats (199) voted against the bill, though 7 members broke with their party to support it.
Republicans overwhelmingly supported the measure (214-3), arguing it is necessary to prevent blackouts and energy instability.
The single independent member voted in favor of the bill.