Bill · S. 3585· Senate(119-S-3585)
DATA Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 1/7/2026
- Last activity
- 1/7/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Tom Cotton
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The DATA Act of 2026 seeks to amend the Federal Power Act to exempt consumer-regulated electric utilities (CREUs) from various federal regulations. A CREU is defined as an electric generation and supply system established to serve new electric loads that is physically islanded from the bulk-power system and regulated utilities. These entities may own, construct, and operate facilities for generation, storage, transmission, distribution, and retail supply. Under this bill, CREUs would be exempt from federal oversight regarding rates, financial matters, and reliability standards. This exemption applies as long as the system remains independent and does not connect to the bulk-power system for primary or backup supply.
Yes
Would business owners be better off under this?+6
The bill facilitates easier operation and construction for entities looking to build independent electric systems.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+5
The bill allows for the creation of specialized electric utilities with significantly reduced regulatory burdens.
Does this repair or build roads and bridges?+1
The bill streamlines the application process for facilities located within public rights-of-way.
The opposite
Does this give the federal government more power?-6
The bill explicitly exempts specific electric utilities from the jurisdiction of federal agencies like FERC and the Secretary of Energy.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Operational Flexibility for New Electric Loads: CREUs can be established specifically to serve new electric loads that were not previously served by any retail electricity supplier (Section 2).
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Simplified Development in Public Areas: CREUs may construct and operate facilities within existing public rights-of-way (Section 7).
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Streamlined Application Reviews: When CREUs apply to build or operate facilities within public rights-of-way, the review process is limited exclusively to the adequacy of storm-response planning and right-of-way restoration (Section 7).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Loss of Federal Oversight and Standards: CREUs are exempt from federal regulation regarding rate regulation, corporate or financial oversight, transmission or distribution regulation, and reliability standards (Section 3).
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Reduced Federal Regulatory Jurisdiction: CREUs are exempt from the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Secretary of Energy regarding all reliability standards and other rules or requirements established under the Federal Power Act (Section 4).
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Requirement to Revert to Full Regulation: If a CREU chooses to connect to any portion of the bulk-power system or any other electric transmission or distribution system for primary or backup supply, it must immediately cease being a CREU and become subject to all applicable Federal regulations (Section 4).
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 Business Owners+6
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power-6
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Roads And Bridges+1
- 1/7/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Introduced in Senate
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.