Inside Washington

👋 Situational awareness: June was a big month on Capitol Hill for the electrical contracting industry. NECA hosted its first-ever District 10 Fly-In, bringing outside line contractors face to face with lawmakers shaping transmission and permitting policy. Meanwhile, Congress stayed busy: the House advanced eight bills to lower electricity costs, passed four bills to strengthen grid security, and held a hearing on modernizing apprenticeships to meet growing workforce demand. Here's everything you need to know from Washington.

Let’s dive in!

NECA’s inaugural D10 Fly-In fuels advocacy

NECA hosted its first-ever D10 Fly-In, gathering 25 outside line contractors in Washington for two days of advocacy and engagement with Congress.

One fun thing: For more than half of attendees, it was their first NECA Advocacy event!

Why it matters: This event provided a unique platform for contractors to voice crucial industry priorities like permitting reform and transmission system expansion.

Streamlining the permitting process is vital for timely approval of new lines and rebuilds.
Expanding transmission capacity is essential to meet rising electricity demand.

Day 1: Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) shared her background as a utility regulator.

Fedorchak oversaw electric utilities and transmission siting and permitted more than $15 billion in energy infrastructure projects.
She walked members through her High-Capacity Grid Act (H.R. 6633), which would direct FERC to set a best-available conductor standard for new interstate lines and rebuilds.

Day 2: Three Members of Congress, Reps. Don Norcross (D-NJ), Russell Frye (R-SC), and Dina Titus (D-NV), stoped by at breakfast to discuss how contractors can help inform Members of Congress.

Members spent the rest of their time in productive meetings with key Members of Congress who sit on the Committees shaping the industry's future. These Committees pass legislation on grid and transmission policy, infrastructure investment and permitting, and the apprenticeship programs that train the line workforce — giving District 10 a direct line to the offices that will determine the future of American energy.

Citadel Electric Hosts Rep. Derek Schmidt & Congressional Candidate Chris Stigall

On June 18, Citadel Electric Group welcomed Rep. Derek Schmidt (KS-02) and Missouri 6th District congressional candidate Chris Stigall to its Oak Grove facility.

Why it matters: The visit facilitated meaningful dialogue on infrastructure and federal project challenges, crucial for industry growth.

"Our team was proud to show Congressman Schmidt and candidate Chris Stigall how NECA contractors like Citadel are supporting national infrastructure and critical federal facilities, including Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth, Whiteman Air Force Base, and area VA hospitals. These conversations matter because the issues facing our industry, data center construction, labor shortages, workforce development, federal project delivery, and retainage tax fairness, directly affect our ability to build, hire, and deliver for our customers." - Marc Tower, President, Citadel Electric Group.

The bottom line: NECA values the engagement of political leaders in understanding the pivotal role electrical contractors play in regional and national projects.

House Energy Subcommittee Marks Up 8 Bills to Lower Electricity Costs

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has advanced eight bills aimed at reducing electricity costs and boosting grid reliability.

Why it matters: These measures respond to a growing reliability crisis and affordability issues impacting household budgets, while maintaining U.S. competitiveness in AI development.

Driving the news: The bills advanced to the full committee and include the Load Forecasting Enhancement Act (H.R. 9332), the Affordable Innovation for the Grid Act (H.R. 9339), the Advanced Transmission to Reduce Rates Act (H.R. 9335), the Ratepayer Protection Act (H.R. 9340), the High-Capacity Grid Act (H.R. 6633), the Protecting Families from AI Data Center Energy Costs Act (H.R. 6529), the Expediting Generator Interconnection Procedures Act (H.R. 2986), and the Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026 (H.R. 9338).
The big picture: This package highlights a sustained demand for transmission and grid infrastructure work, crucial for NECA members as electrification and data center load growth continue.

Apprenticeship pipeline examined by House Education & Workforce

The Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a hearing titled “Workforce Rewired: Modern Apprenticeships for a Modern Economy” on June 24.

Why it matters: The hearing highlighted the critical role apprenticeships play in addressing technician shortages and providing stable, high-paying careers without student debt.

An estimated 40% of job skills will change over the next decade, driven by AI.
Approximately 80,000 electricians are needed, with a national push for one million active apprentices.

The big picture: For NECA contractors, skilled electrical workforce shortages are a major constraint in meeting the demand for power.

Registered apprenticeships remain a proven model for workforce development.
Federal support for earn-and-learn pathways is crucial for NECA members.

The Government Affairs team submitted five questions for the record, focusing on mentorship and training model effectiveness.

House passes four grid security bills

On June 29, the House passed four bipartisan bills to enhance the electric grid’s defenses against cyber and physical threats.

Why it matters: These measures are crucial for safeguarding the nation’s energy infrastructure against increasing threats.

The SECURE Grid Act: Directs states to incorporate physical security, cybersecurity, and resilience in energy security plans.
Energy Emergency Leadership Act: Assigns dedicated Assistant Secretary leadership to the Department of Energy’s emergency and cybersecurity functions.
Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act: Reauthorizes a $250 million-per-year program through 2030, aiding rural cooperatives and small utilities in system defense.
Energy Threat Analysis Center Act: Extends the center’s role in threat detection and intelligence sharing for five more years.

The bottom line: As Congress invests in grid security, NECA contractors are well-positioned to build and maintain the necessary protected infrastructure.

DOT allocates $1.86B for storm repairs

The Department of Transportation has allocated $1.86 billion in emergency relief funds to repair infrastructure damaged by recent natural disasters.

Why it matters: This funding will aid in the restoration of essential transportation networks, ensuring safe and efficient travel.

More than $908 million is designated for Hurricane Helene recovery, with a significant portion allocated to North Carolina.
Funding also addresses damages from 2024 flooding, 2025 storms in Arizona, and the atmospheric river events across the West.

Details:

$300 million is earmarked for the March 2024 Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore.
NECA contractors will engage in rebuilding efforts that extend beyond roads and bridges to include power, signals, and grid components.

What’s next: Expect continued rebuilding activity in storm-affected regions as federal dollars flow to support these efforts.