👋 Welcome to March’s edition of Inside Washington!
Energy and grid reliability dominated the conversation in Washington last month, with significant implications for NECA contractors. From the President’s call for grid modernization and nuclear expansion to congressional action on critical minerals and permitting reform, policymakers are signaling that infrastructure investment must accelerate.
As electricity demand continues to grow nationwide, the focus on upgrading and expanding America’s grid is becoming increasingly practical and pressing.
Ready to dive into the details? Let’s get started!
Trump's State of the Union Highlights Urgent Need for Electrical Infrastructure
President Trump has prioritized energy reliability and grid modernization, opening opportunities for NECA contractors.
Why it matters: The “Ratepayer Protection Pledge” shields residential customers from rising electricity costs due to AI data centers.
Major tech firms must generate their own power, addressing the limitations of the aging grid.
The grid’s need for expansion, beyond mere maintenance, has been echoed by FERC and Congress, aligning with NECA’s longstanding advocacy.
On March 4, NECA CEO David Long, NECA President Mark Walter, and NECA VP At-Large Steve Stone were all invited to an event at the White House to meet with President Trump, Energy Secretary Wright and several of the major data center leaders on these critical issues.
Nuclear Revolution
The President's remarks on nuclear energy reflected his Administration's aggressive posture toward domestic nuclear expansion.
The Department of Energy has already committed $2.7 billion to strengthen domestic uranium enrichment and has set a target of expanding U.S. nuclear capacity from roughly 100 GW today to 400 GW by 2050.
Why it matters: That kind of buildout will require significant transmission infrastructure, control systems, and grid interconnection work.
The speech also came on the heels of a $26.5 billion DOE energy grid loan announced this week, the largest in Department history, directed at adding over 16 gigawatts of new generation capacity across the South. The Administration framed the investment as essential to keeping electricity affordable and the grid reliable as manufacturing reshoring and data center construction accelerate.
Construction at JFK: A Spotlight on NECA Contractors
JFK International Airport is undergoing a $19 billion modernization, and NECA contractors are playing a critical role in bringing it to life. The project is the largest electrical construction project in New York City history, with over 1,700 IBEW Local 3 electricians working across 15 NECA contractors.
EJ-Electric is installing a 6.63-megawatt rooftop solar system on the new Terminal 1. Terminal 1 is the largest at any airport terminal in the United States. Together, these systems form the backbone of what is expected to be the largest self-contained airport microgrid in the country.
Lion Heart Electric is installing electrical infrastructure for the terminal's automated baggage handling system, a data-driven network designed to streamline baggage movement throughout the facility.
The terminal's first gates are expected to open in mid-2026, and JFK is just a snapshot of the broader opportunity ahead.
The bottom line: From AI data centers to nuclear facilities to major transportation hubs, the demand for what NECA contractors do every day has never been greater, and our members are proving it on one of the biggest job sites in the country.
House Passes Legislation to Secure America's Energy Supply Chains
The House passed H.R. 3617, the Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act, aiming to fortify U.S. energy supply chains.
Why it matters: The bill mandates the Department of Energy to pinpoint vulnerabilities and lessen reliance on adversarial nations, especially China.
The U.S. is entirely dependent on imports for 16 critical minerals.
China dominates 60% of global rare earth production and 90% of processing.
By the numbers:
50 vital minerals have a 50% import reliance.
Key minerals like copper, aluminum, and rare earths are crucial for NECA contractors in building essential infrastructure.
What’s next: The bill moves to the Senate with NECA closely monitoring its progress.
Permitting Delays Put Grid Reliability and Wildfire Safety at Risk
The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries spotlighted permitting delays affecting grid reliability and wildfire safety.
Why it matters: Transmission lines cross vast federal lands, and delays in maintaining them can lead to higher electricity costs and increased wildfire risks.
Chairwoman Harriet Hageman emphasized that bureaucratic red tape is jeopardizing livelihoods and the electric grid.
Witness testimonies further backed the claim by providing real world examples happening in the industry today:
Jason Bowling,CEO of Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative in Arizona, described a routine pole replacement along an established corridor that took fifteen years to permit before wrapping up construction in weeks.
George Arhos, a nearly 30-year IBEW journeyman lineman, reinforced that message from the field. "These delays are not just bureaucratic inconveniences. They increase wildfire risk and drive up electricity costs."
Christina Hayes of Americans for a Clean Energy Grid added that grid delays carry a measurable human cost, noting during Winter Storm Fern, an additional 1 gigawatt of transfer capacity could have saved $109 million in power costs.
The bottom line: Advancing the Fix Our Forests Act (H.R. 471) is crucial to protect the grid and control electric costs.
The bill would expand hazard tree removal authority from 10 feet to 150 feet of power lines, establish automatic plan approval after 120 days, and reduce the environmental review burden for routine maintenance work on federal lands.
NECA's Government Affairs team will continue to monitor the bill's progress as it awaits a Senate floor vote.
See You in DC!
Registration is open for the 2026 NECA Legislative Conference, the premier advocacy event for the electrical construction industry.
When: May 4-6, 2026
Where: Willard InterContinental, Washington, DC
Details: Join NECA contractors and chapter staff from across the country to discuss the latest legislative and regulatory developments shaping our industry.
First-time attendees: We've got you covered. We're offering a dedicated first-time attendee session that gives you everything you need to have productive, meaningful meetings with your elected officials.
