On July 17, the House Appropriations Committee approved funding for the FY 2026 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill, allocating $57.3 billion overall, including $24.1 billion for non-defense energy programs. While most attention focused on broader cuts, the bill notably calls attention to the distribution transformer supply chain, emphasizing its critical role in grid reliability.

In the report accompanying the bill, lawmakers urged the Department of Energy (DOE) to address ongoing supply shortages. The committee emphasized the importance of a stable supply of distribution transformers, which are essential for maintaining power reliability amid increasing grid demand—driven in part by the growing commercial computation sector.

To mitigate challenges, the committee encouraged the DOE to support activities that expand domestic manufacturing capacity for distribution transformers. This includes engaging with utilities, manufacturers, and industry stakeholders to analyze the supply-demand mismatch, while also promoting energy-efficient production methods.

Source: publicpower.org