Bill · H.R. 10579· House(119-HR-10579)
Energy Cost Fairness and Reliability Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 9/24/2026
- Last activity
- 9/24/2026 — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Dave Min
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The bill is known as the Energy Cost Fairness and Reliability Act of 2026. It requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue final rules regarding the interconnection of large load facilities, such as data centers, to the interstate transmission system. The legislation establishes a formal load interconnection queue system and sets out specific cost responsibilities for network upgrades. It also directs the Department of Energy to collect data from data center owners and establish an artificial intelligence testbed at a National Laboratory. Additionally, the bill sets priority criteria for queue processing based on battery backup, prevailing wages, and labor peace agreements. Finally, it ensures that state authorities retain jurisdiction over retail electricity rates.
Yes· 3 of 18
Does this put more rules on large technology companies?+6
The bill imposes specific interconnection rules, cost responsibilities, and data collection requirements on large data center facilities.
Does this put more money into scientific research?+6
The legislation directs the Department of Energy to establish a data-center-scale artificial intelligence testbed at a National Laboratory.
Would union members be better off under this?+5
Queue prioritization for projects utilizing prevailing wages and registered apprenticeship programs directly benefits union workers.
The opposite
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?-3
The bill exempts confidential business information submitted by data center owners from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
Would business owners be better off under this?-2
Large load customers and data center developers face strict financial requirements, including paying 100 percent of interconnection and study costs.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Ratepayer Costs: Section 3(d)(1) mandates that large load customers must pay 100 percent of the costs for network upgrades assigned through interconnection studies, and prohibits these costs from being recovered from other transmission customers or credited against future retail service charges. This protects everyday people from footing the bill for expensive grid upgrades driven by data centers.
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Grid Reliability and Demand Flexibility: Section 3(b)(4) requires large load customers to be technically capable of exercising demand flexibility and curtailability, and to enter into a binding agreement to reduce or shift electrical demand when requested. This ensures that large facilities can scale back power usage during peak times to help maintain overall grid reliability for the public.
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Support for Good-Paying Jobs: Section 3(b)(5)(A)(ii) provides queue prioritization for large load customers that guarantee laborers and mechanics are paid prevailing wages and that contractors use registered apprenticeship programs during construction. This directly benefits workers by encouraging fair wages and training opportunities.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Exemption from Public Disclosure: Section 3(i)(2) exempts confidential business information submitted by data center owners to the Secretary of Energy from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act and state or local open records laws. This lack of transparency could make it difficult for the public and local communities to access information about data center resource consumption and environmental impacts.
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Potential Financial Burden on Facilities: Section 3(b)(1) and Section 3(d)(1) require large load customers to pay 100 percent of interconnection study costs and nonrefundable payments for network upgrades. While protecting residential ratepayers, these heavy upfront financial burdens might slow down domestic manufacturing, technology growth, or the onshoring of industries if compliance costs become too prohibitive for developers.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Union Workers+5Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Middle Class Households+4Good For Retirees+4Good For Seniors+4Good For Rural Residents+3Good For Students+3Good For Business Owners-2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Big Tech Regulation+6Increases Scientific Research Funding+6
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Union Protections+4Increases Job Creation+3Improves Economic Growth+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Increases Renewable Energy Investment+4Improves Rural Development+2
- Healthcare
- Increases Research Funding+5
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+2Improves International Alliances+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights+4Improves Government Transparency-3
- 9/24/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York