Smith and Valadao Introduce Bipartisan CHARGE Act to Strengthen Energy Resilience at Community Health Centers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and David Valadao (R-Calif) introduced the Community Health Access Through Resilient Grid Energy (CHARGE) Act, bipartisan legislation that creates a new grant program at the Department of Energy to help Federally Qualified Health Centers install solar energy systems and battery storage technologies. These upgrades will ensure that community health centers can maintain operations during grid disruptions, extreme weather events, and other emergencies.
“Community health centers are the backbone of care in underserved communities. Too many face dangerous gaps in power reliability during extreme weather or emergency situations,” said Smith. “The CHARGE Act is a smart and forward-looking investment that will help centers stay open, protect patients, and strengthen energy resilience across the country.”
“Federally Qualified Health Centers are a lifeline for families across the Central Valley, and we need to make sure they can stay open—even when emergencies happen,” said Valadao. “The CHARGE Act creates a new grant program to help FQHCs install reliable energy storage systems so they can keep serving patients without interruption. I’m proud to partner with Congressman Smith on this bipartisan effort to strengthen local healthcare and lower energy costs.”
Endorsements:
TThe bill is endorsed by the National Association of Community Health Centers, Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA), Solar United Neighbors, the Washington Association for Community Health, and HealthPoint.
Original cosponsors include Representatives Ed Case, Kimberlyn King-Hinds, and James Moylan.
"Electricity powers every step of health care. When Community Health Centers lose power, diabetic patients miss visits, pregnant women miss prenatal care, children forgo vaccinations, and patients needing behavioral health services miss therapy. After Hurricane Helene alone, power outages caused more than 10,000 patient appointment cancellations in one state alone. The bipartisan CHARGE Act, led by US Representatives Adam Smith (D-WA) and David Valadao (R-CA) will help health centers deploy solar energy and battery storage systems so they can continue serving as lifelines for their communities during disasters.”
– Ben Money, SVP of Population Health at National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC)
“When natural disasters and other grid-straining emergencies hit, solar and energy storage are critical to providing reliable power to those that need it most. We applaud Congressmen Smith and Valadao for championing this legislation which will enhance access to solar and storage for the Federally Qualified Community Health Centers working every day to provide essential care to communities across America.”
– Abigail Ross Hopper, President and CEO, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
“Community health centers are an essential part of the healthcare delivery system in rural and underserved regions across the country—especially here in the Central Valley. Central Valley Health Network applauds the leadership of Congressman Valadao and Smith in introducing the CHARGE Act of 2025, which will invest in improving healthcare in our communities while promoting renewable energy solutions.”
– Jason Vega, Chief Executive Officer, Central Valley Health Network
“Ensuring clean, reliable, and safe energy technologies is not only smart policy. It is a direct investment in community health and in the well-being of the diverse communities we serve.”
– HealthPoint
“We appreciate Representative Smith’s work with community health centers to develop this program that advances clean energy goals, helps reduce long-term energy costs, and supports local renewable energy jobs.”
– Washington Association for Community Health
Background:
FQHCs provide primary and preventive care to more than 34 million Americans each year, often in communities that are most vulnerable to outages and disasters. Many centers lack the reliable and affordable backup power systems needed to keep their doors open when power fails. The CHARGE Act offers a targeted and fiscally responsible solution that improves energy resilience, reduces long-term operating costs, and supports local clean energy jobs.
Under the bill, the Department of Energy, through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, would award competitive grants to FQHCs, state and local governments, nonprofits, and qualifying provider networks. Funds may be used for solar installation, battery storage deployment, and technical assistance programs. The bill authorizes 50 million dollars annually from fiscal year 2026 through fiscal year 2030 for these purposes.
The CHARGE Act:
- Creates a new Department of Energy grant program to help FQHCs deploy solar energy systems and energy storage technologies.
- Authorizes 50 million dollars annually from fiscal year 2026 through fiscal year 2030 for installation projects and technical assistance.
- Allows participation from FQHCs, state and local governments, nonprofits, and majority FQHC controlled provider networks.
- Supports technical assistance to ensure that systems are effectively designed, installed, and operated for long-term resilience.