NEMA Applauds Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing May As Electrical Safety Month

Congressional Action Arrives as Accelerating Electrification Raises Demand for Safety Guidance Across Data Centers, Batteries, and More

ARLINGTON, Va. - The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) - a cooperative effort by NEMA, Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) - today applauded the introduction of H.Res.1302 - a resolution expressing support for the designation of May 2026 as "National Electrical Safety Month."

"Meeting America's growing power needs - with demand projected in NEMA's analysis to rise 55% by 2050 - will require speed, scale, and safety," said NEMA President and CEO Debra Phillips. "National Electrical Safety Month is an important reminder that as electrification accelerates, the standards, guidance and technical expertise that reduce risk must keep pace with the infrastructure and systems we are building."

The resolution, introduced by Reps. Janelle Bynum (D-OR) and Rob Bresnahan (R-PA), reflects the growing urgency of electrical safety education as electrification accelerates across America, power demand rises, and emerging technologies create new questions for communities, first responders, and policymakers.

National Electrical Safety Month, observed each May, raises awareness of these persistent risks. It also serves as an opportunity to highlight the standards, electrical technologies, and best practices that mitigate these risks. This year, 17 states and the District of Columbia observed May as National Electrical Safety Month, representing a broad show of support that underscores the issue's relevance.

"Every fire prevented, every shock avoided, and every life saved is our calling and mission. That is what National Electrical Safety Month is about at its core," said ESFI Executive Director Jennifer LeFevre. "ESFI is grateful to Reps. Bynum and Bresnahan - and elected officials across the country - for helping us reach more Americans with that message, and to DC and the 17 states whose governors have made it official."

This year's observance comes as NEMA advances new and updated safety resources for a rapidly electrifying economy, including forthcoming standards and technical guidance for evaluating damaged electrical equipment after disasters. These resources will help facility owners, inspectors, contractors, and other decision-makers restore electrical infrastructure safely.

They build on NEMA's recent guidance on Fire and Life Safety Equipment in Data Centers and Lithium-Ion Battery Fires - tools for building safety professionals, facility managers, first responders, and public officials.

Read the full text of the resolution here.

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About NEMA

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) represents over 300 electrical equipment manufacturers that make safe, reliable, and efficient products and technologies that power, connect, and light our world. Together, our members contribute a full 1% of U.S. GDP and directly provide over 580,000 American jobs, adding more than $330 billion to the U.S. economy. Learn more at makeitelectric.org

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