H.R. 3578 — Introduced in House

I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3578 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 28, 2021Mr. Cuellar introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To promote the interconnection of electric transmission facilities between the United States and Mexico, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the United States-Mexico Electricity Exchange Act. 2. United States-Mexico Electricity Exchange Initiative (a) In general The Secretary of Energy shall work with the appropriate representatives of the Government of Mexico, to the extent practicable, to establish a United States-Mexico Electricity Exchange Initiative to promote the interconnection of electric transmission facilities between the southern border States of the United States and Mexico. (b) Requirements In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall— (1) conduct a study on the opportunities and obstacles to cross-border trade of electricity; (2) strengthen electric grid resilience and reliability in the border region; (3) promote the generation and exchange of electricity in the border region; and (4) strengthen the economic conditions in the border region. (c) Reporting (1) Initial report Not later than 365 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a report containing a plan to establish the United States-Mexico Electricity Exchange Initiative. (2) Annual updates Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a report on the implementation of the United States-Mexico Electricity Exchange Initiative. (d) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section not more than $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2025.