Bill · H.R. 7741· House(119-HR-7741)
E-Access Act
- Introduced
- 2/26/2026
- Last activity
- 2/26/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Sponsored by
- Kevin Mullin
- Cosponsors
- - 4 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Access to Consumer Energy Information Act, also known as the E-Access Act, aims to increase competition in digital energy management tools. It seeks to improve how consumers, organizations, and governments manage their energy usage and improve electric grid reliability. The bill focuses on enhancing consumer access to detailed information regarding electric and natural gas usage and costs. To achieve this, the Secretary of Energy and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will develop model data sharing standards and policies. These standards will govern how utilities provide energy data to consumers and their third-party designees. Additionally, the bill mandates a report evaluating the costs and benefits of using electric meter data for settling wholesale electricity market prices.
Yes· 3 of 8
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+3
The bill promotes competition and innovation in digital energy management tools which can benefit small service providers.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+2
Enhanced access to energy data and efficiency programs can help low-income households manage and reduce their utility expenditures.
Would middle-income households be better off under this?+2
Increased competition in energy management tools can lead to cost savings and better control over energy usage for middle-income families.
The opposite
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?-2
The bill's requirement for sharing consumer energy usage data with third-party designees creates potential privacy and security risks.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Access to Information: The bill aims to improve consumer access to and understanding of electric energy and natural gas usage and cost information (Section 3(a)(18)(A)).
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Support for Innovative Services: It facilitates the development and adoption of innovative products and services to help consumers manage their energy consumption and expenditures (Section 3(a)(18)(B)).
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Increased Energy Efficiency: The Act encourages the adoption of measured, performance-based energy efficiency and demand response programs (Section 3(a)(18)(C)).
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Data Accessibility Standards: Guidelines will ensure energy information is available in an electronic machine-readable form without additional charge, via websites, and in as close to real-time as possible (Section 3(b)(4)(B)).
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Consumer Empowerment: Consumers and their designees will have the right to select, install, and operate software applications of their choosing on their electric meters (Section 3(b)(4)(J)(iv)).
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Financial Assistance for States: The Secretary is authorized to provide funds to States that implement specific energy programs to assist in their implementation (Section 3(c)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Privacy Risks: While the bill includes guidelines for protecting the security and privacy of consumer information, the sharing of retail electric and natural gas information with third-party designees inherently involves the transmission of customer-specific data (Section 3(b)(4)(B)(v)).
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Complexity of Data Standards: The requirement for the Secretary and the Commission to develop complex guidelines for data sharing, electronic access, and consumer consent involves significant regulatory oversight (Section 3(b)).
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 Low Income Households+2Good For Middle Class Households+2Good For Urban Residents+1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Increases Renewable Energy Investment+2Improves Public Transit+1
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2Improves Privacy Rights-2
- 6/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/26/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 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.
Sean CastenDemocrat · Illinois
Maggie GoodlanderDemocrat · New Hampshire
Mike LevinDemocrat · California
Deborah RossDemocrat · North Carolina