This legislation modifies the Federal Power Act to restrict the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's ability to issue emergency orders for power generation facilities. It requires the Commission to consider alternatives that minimize environmental impacts and conduct public hearings before acting. The bill also prohibits orders that would delay the retirement or permanent closure of a facility unless a unique emergency exists and is formally requested. Furthermore, it mandates that utilities inform customers about the costs and impacts of any emergency orders issued under these rules.
The DATA Act of 2026 creates a new category of electric utilities called consumer-regulated electric utilities (CREUs) that can operate independently from the traditional public utility system. These CREUs must be physically isolated from the main power grid and serve only customers who receive electricity exclusively from them, allowing them to own and operate their own generation, storage, and distribution facilities. The bill exempts these independent utilities from most federal regulations, including oversight by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Department of Energy, as well as restrictions on rates and corporate structure. CREUs can only lose this exemption if they choose to connect to the main power grid, at which point they would become subject to standard federal utility regulations. The legislation also clarifies that CREUs may use public rights-of-way for their facilities but only face limited review focused on safety and restoration.
The "Build More Power Act" expands and extends a federal loan guarantee program to support electric generating facilities, particularly those critical for energy reliability. It makes power plants that are required by government orders to continue generating electricity during emergencies eligible for these loan guarantees, even if they might otherwise cease operations, and mandates the Secretary of Energy to solicit applications from them. The bill extends the program's authority until 2032 and sets aside at least $20 billion in loan guarantee capacity specifically for projects at facilities operating under such emergency directives. This impacts owners and operators of power plants, especially those under emergency orders, and the Department of Energy, which must also report to Congress on the program's impact and recommendations for upgrading aging coal facilities.
This bill establishes an Office of Energy Affordability within the Department of Energy, directly affecting the Department's policy-making process and indirectly aiming to influence energy costs for consumers. The Office's primary duty is to review proposed Department regulations or policies related to energy transitions, analyzing their effects on energy affordability, economic costs, and reliable energy access. It must also identify strategies to mitigate negative impacts and promote cost-effective solutions. The Office provides advice and guidance based on its reviews, which must be completed within 30 days, but it cannot prevent the issuance of any regulation. Finally, the Office is mandated to submit annual reports to Congress detailing its findings and recommendations.
The E-Access Act aims to enhance electric and natural gas consumers' access to their own energy usage and cost information, directly affecting consumers, utilities, and third-party energy management companies. It requires the Department of Energy and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to develop model guidelines for states to standardize secure and timely access to this data for consumers and their authorized third-party designees. These guidelines promote the use of open standards like "Green Button Connect My Data," ensuring data is electronic, machine-readable, and includes privacy protections, while also setting rules for electric meter software platforms to foster fair competition. States that adopt policies aligned with these federal guidelines may receive financial assistance to implement related programs. Additionally, the bill mandates a report on the costs and benefits of using individual meter data for wholesale electricity market settlement.
The Power for the People Act of 2026 requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to create a special approval process for data centers, which are defined as facilities using more than 50 megawatts of electricity. Under this system, data centers must offset their energy consumption by bringing their own clean power sources to the grid or agreeing to flexible power usage that can be reduced when needed. The bill also directs states to establish separate electricity rates for data centers so these facilities pay their full share of grid upgrade costs rather than spreading those expenses across all customers. Additionally, the legislation mandates that data center construction use prevailing wages and registered apprenticeship programs, while requiring greater transparency in how data center energy demands are forecasted and approved.
This bill, known as the Grid Expansion and Reliability Act, shifts authority over siting interstate electric transmission facilities from the Department of Energy to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. It allows companies to self-certify and begin building transmission lines in designated national interest corridors without waiting for a full permit, provided they submit specific information about their identity, project details, and timeline. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission must create regulations for this process within a year, conduct annual audits of certifications, and report to Congress on how well the system works. These changes aim to streamline the approval process for new power grid infrastructure while maintaining oversight through reporting and auditing requirements.
The SECURE Grid Act requires states to include local distribution systems, which are electric utility infrastructure operating at 100 kilovolts or less, in their state energy security plans. This bill expands the scope of state plans to address physical threats like weather and attacks on local distribution systems, as well as cybersecurity risks and supply chain vulnerabilities for electricity equipment. States must also provide risk mitigation approaches to enhance reliability and resilience, and the act mandates a Government Accountability Office report by September 2030 to evaluate how these plans have improved risk management and recovery capabilities. The provisions expire on September 30, 2031, and require states to submit their plans without needing approval from the Secretary of Energy.
The Wildfire and Grid Reliability Act creates a new grant program administered by the Department of Energy to help electric utilities improve power grid safety and reduce wildfire risks. Eligible entities, including public, municipal, cooperative, and investor-owned utilities, can apply for funding to implement projects like undergrounding power lines, installing fire-resistant equipment, and deploying early detection technology. The bill requires recipients to match federal funds with their own contributions and mandates that at least 40% of grants go toward wildfire risk reduction, while 20% is reserved for smaller utilities serving fewer than 4 million megawatt-hours annually.
The Access to Consumer Energy Information Act requires electric and gas utilities to provide customers with easy access to their energy usage data and billing information in a standardized, machine-readable format. The bill directs the Department of Energy and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to create guidelines ensuring consumers can securely share this data with third-party apps and services to help manage energy consumption and costs. Utilities must allow customers to install software on their energy meters and cannot discriminate against third-party developers seeking access to this data. The legislation also authorizes funding to help states implement these data-sharing programs and requires a report on using meter data for wholesale electricity market settlements.
