PROTECT the Grid Act

HR 7208, the PROTECT the Grid Act, requires the U.S. Commerce Department to assess national security risks posed by foreign adversary-controlled applications managing high-wattage smart home devices (like electric vehicle chargers or smart appliances exceeding 500 watts). The bill mandates a report to Congress within 270 days, evaluating how such devices - potentially controlled by entities under foreign adversaries like China - could be exploited to manipulate grid demand and cause blackouts. Key provisions include analyzing deployment levels of these devices, vulnerabilities in foreign-controlled apps, and recommending security measures such as certification requirements or restrictions on federal procurement. The report will inform future actions to prevent grid instability without imposing immediate bans or altering existing laws.