International AI Energy Grid Modernization Strategy Act

Bill Number

H.R. 7697

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-25: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Last Updated

2026-03-27T22:02:16Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The legislation, titled the "International AI Energy Grid Modernization Strategy Act," aims to create a coordinated U.S. international strategy for using artificial intelligence (AI) to upgrade and strengthen electrical grids worldwide. It addresses challenges like aging infrastructure, climate risks, cyber threats, and rising energy needs by promoting AI technologies for better grid management, security, and integration of renewable energy sources.

Key Provisions

• Findings and Sense of Congress: Recognizes global electrical grid vulnerabilities (e.g., from disasters, weather, and cyberattacks) and highlights AI's potential for improvements like predictive maintenance, real-time monitoring, and renewable energy integration. It urges U.S. engagement with international bodies like the International Energy Agency to coordinate AI use in grids for security, resilience, and sustainability.

• Development of International Strategy: The Secretary of State, working with agencies like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Energy (DOE), and Department of Commerce, must develop and implement a strategy focused on:
• Building partnerships with countries, academics, and private companies to modernize grids.
• Speeding up AI tech development for reliability, cyber threat detection, and renewable energy integration.
• Ensuring access to these tools in developing or disaster-prone areas.
• Supporting training in AI, cybersecurity, and grid operations.
• Coordinating across U.S. federal agencies.

• Authorization for Programs: The Secretary of State can fund and support:
• International research on AI for grid stability.
• Testing and demos of AI systems for monitoring and recovery.
• Pilot projects to assess AI tools' security and performance.
• Public-private partnerships for commercializing energy tech.
• Technical aid and training to build local skills.

• International Cooperation: Allows agreements with partner countries for joint research and tech sharing, but only for non-classified, non-military AI, and must follow U.S. export control laws (rules governing the sale or transfer of sensitive technologies abroad).

• Reporting Requirements: Within 540 days of enactment, and yearly for five years, the Secretary of State must report to congressional foreign affairs committees on progress, including partnerships, research outcomes, pilot results, cybersecurity advances, training efforts, challenges, recommendations, and metrics on grid improvements.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new framework for U.S. international AI strategy specific to electrical grids, which did not previously exist in statute. It authorizes new programs and cooperative agreements without amending prior laws, but it builds on existing export control regulations (e.g., Export Administration Regulations and International Traffic in Arms Regulations) by explicitly applying them to AI grid tech collaborations. No direct repeals or modifications to current energy or AI policies are specified.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Increases coordination and responsibilities for the State Department, DHS, DOE, and Commerce, potentially requiring new resources for strategy implementation, partnerships, and reporting. This could streamline federal efforts on energy security but add administrative burdens.

• Citizens: U.S. and global residents may benefit from more reliable, cyber-secure, and climate-resilient electrical grids, reducing outage risks and supporting renewable energy access, which could lower energy costs and improve public health in disaster areas.

• International Relations: Strengthens U.S. ties with allies through tech-sharing and joint projects, positioning the U.S. as a leader in AI for energy. It promotes equitable aid to developing nations, potentially enhancing diplomatic influence, but export controls limit sensitive tech transfers to avoid aiding adversaries.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Federal Agencies: State Department (lead), DHS (cybersecurity), DOE (energy tech), and Commerce (trade/export rules).
• International Partners: Allied and developing countries, plus organizations like the International Energy Agency and International Renewable Energy Agency.
• Private Sector and Academia: Companies and universities involved in AI, cybersecurity, and energy, benefiting from partnerships and funding for research/commercialization.
• Workforce and Communities: Workers needing AI/grid training; vulnerable populations in disaster-prone or low-income regions gaining from improved grid access and resilience.
• Congress: Foreign affairs committees overseeing reports and strategy.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces U.S. export controls to protect national security, ensuring collaborations avoid sharing classified or military AI. This complies with international trade laws but could face challenges if partnerships raise data privacy or intellectual property issues.

• Constitutional: Falls under Congress's powers to regulate foreign commerce and affairs (Article I, Section 8), with executive implementation via the State Department, maintaining checks through congressional reporting.

• Political: Advances U.S. global leadership in AI and clean energy amid competition (e.g., with China), supporting bipartisan goals like climate adaptation and cybersecurity. It emphasizes "responsible" AI deployment, potentially influencing future tech policy debates, but requires funding appropriations not specified here.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Liccardo, Sam T. [D-CA-16], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-25: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
• 2026-02-25: Introduced in House
• 2026-02-25: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• International AI Energy Grid Modernization Strategy Act — issued 2026-02-25 — PDF (7 pages)