The GRID Assistance Act creates a new federal program to help small towns and rural electric cooperatives strengthen their power grids. The program funds special advisors called "Grid Assistants" who work for local governments, tribes, colleges, and nonprofits to help these communities expand their electrical transmission capacity and make their power systems more resilient against cyberattacks and natural disasters like wildfires.

These Grid Assistants act as expert guides who help communities navigate the complicated process of upgrading their electrical infrastructure. They provide advice on finding federal funding, understanding tax incentives, securing loans, writing grant applications, and building local capacity for long-term sustainability. Each assistant must serve at least two rural electric cooperatives or municipal utilities in their area. The federal government will cover up to 80 percent of the costs to hire and train these assistants, with grants lasting between 3 and 6 years.

The program prioritizes communities at high risk of wildfires and those recommended by their state energy offices. The Department of Energy will coordinate with other federal agencies to share information about available funding opportunities and will report annually to Congress on the program's results, including how much new transmission capacity was added, how much money communities saved, and how much risk from wildfires and cyberattacks was reduced. Congress has authorized $25 million per year from 2025 through 2029 to run this program.