---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 17390"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "17390"
heading: "Voluntary model pathways"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/17390"
units:
  - "Chapter 152 — Energy Independence and Security"
  - "Subchapter IX — Smart Grid"
---

# §17390. Voluntary model pathways

- (a) **Establishment of voluntary model pathways—**
  - (1) **Establishment—** Not later than 90 days after December 27, 2020, the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) of Energy (in this section referred to as the “[Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3)”), in consultation with the steering committee established under [paragraph (3)](#a-3), shall initiate the development of voluntary model pathways for modernizing the electric grid through a collaborative, public-private effort that—
    - (A) produces illustrative policy pathways encompassing a diverse range of technologies that can be adapted for [State](/usc/42/17151.md?p=6) and regional applications by regulators and policymakers;
    - (B) facilitates the [modernization](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=9) of the electric grid and associated communications networks to achieve the objectives described in [paragraph (2)](#a-2);
    - (C) ensures a reliable, resilient, affordable, safe, and secure electric grid; and
    - (D) acknowledges and accounts for different priorities, electric systems, and rate structures across [States](/usc/42/17151.md?p=6) and regions.
  - (2) **Objectives—** The pathways established under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) shall facilitate achievement of as many of the following objectives as practicable:
    - (A) Near real-time situational awareness of the electric system.
    - (B) Data visualization.
    - (C) Advanced monitoring and control of the advanced electric grid.
    - (D) Enhanced certainty of policies for investment in the electric grid.
    - (E) Increased innovation.
    - (F) Greater consumer empowerment.
    - (G) Enhanced grid resilience, reliability, and robustness.
    - (H) Improved—
      - (i) integration of distributed energy resources;
      - (ii) interoperability of the electric system; and
      - (iii) predictive modeling and capacity forecasting.
    - (I) Reduced cost of service for consumers.
    - (J) Diversification of generation sources.
  - (3) **Steering committee—** Not later than 90 days after December 27, 2020, the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall establish a steering committee to help develop the pathways under [paragraph (1)](#a-1), to be composed of members appointed by the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3), consisting of persons with appropriate expertise representing a diverse range of interests in the public, private, and academic sectors, including representatives of—
    - (A) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission;
    - (B) the [National Laboratories](/usc/42/17211.md?p=4);
    - (C) [States](/usc/42/17151.md?p=6);
    - (D) [State](/usc/42/17151.md?p=6) regulatory authorities;
    - (E) transmission organizations;
    - (F) representatives of all sectors of the electric power industry;
    - (G) institutions of higher education;
    - (H) independent research institutes; and
    - (I) other entities.
- (b) **Technical assistance—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) may provide technical assistance to [States](/usc/42/17151.md?p=6), [Indian Tribes](/usc/42/17151.md?p=4), or units of local government to adopt or implement one or more elements of the pathways developed under [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1), including on a pilot basis.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title VIII, § 8008, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2586.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Energy Act of 2020, and not as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 which comprises this chapter.