Bill · H.R. 7080· House(119-HR-7080)
Waste Heat to Wattage Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 1/14/2026
- Last activity
- 5/20/2026 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
- Sponsored by
- Gabe Vasquez
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Waste Heat to Wattage Act of 2026," seeks to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. The primary goal is to include waste energy recovery as a recognized source of renewable energy. It achieves this by updating the definitions within existing law. The amendment specifically adds waste energy recovery to the list of renewable energy sources. This process involves capturing heat or pressure that would otherwise be released or discharged.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?+3
By promoting the capture of vented or discharged heat and pressure, the bill supports more efficient energy use which can reduce overall emissions.
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?+3
The bill expands the legal definition of renewable energy to include waste energy recovery systems.
Does this invest in rural communities?+2
The bill amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act, which has a significant impact on rural economic and energy infrastructure.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Expansion of Renewable Energy Sources: By adding "waste energy recovery" to the definition of renewable energy in Section 9001, the bill allows for the utilization of heat or pressure that would otherwise be vented, released, throttled, or discharged (Section 2).
-
Increased Efficiency in Energy Use: The bill defines waste energy recovery as heat or pressure used for another purpose or process that generates electricity, such as waste heat to power or waste pressure to power systems (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Increases Renewable Energy Investment+3Reduces Carbon Emissions+3Improves Rural Development+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+2Good For Farmers+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+2Increases Job Creation+2
- 5/20/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
- 1/14/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
James BairdRepublican · Indiana