Bill · S. 3839· Senate(119-S-3839)
Ratepayer Affordability and Transparency in Energy Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 2/11/2026
- Last activity
- 2/11/2026 — 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
This bill, titled the "Ratepayer Affordability and Transparency in Energy Act of 2026," aims to protect the reliability of the electric grid. It seeks to achieve this by preempting certain State climate mandates. Specifically, it prohibits States or their political subdivisions from requiring specific percentages of electricity to come from renewable, zero-emission, or carbon-free resources. The bill also prevents conditioning market participation or utility regulation on compliance with such requirements. Any inconsistent State laws would be rendered void.
Yes
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+2
The bill is intended to prevent electricity cost inflation that could disproportionately affect low-income households.
Would middle-income households be better off under this?+2
The bill seeks to control electricity costs by preventing mandates that the authors claim inflate prices.
Is this likely to grow the economy?+2
The bill aims to prevent electricity cost inflation and infrastructure distortion to support a more stable economic environment.
The opposite· 3 of 5
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-8
The bill reduces the authority of States and their political subdivisions to establish their own energy and climate mandates.
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?-7
The bill preempts State mandates that require a specific percentage of electricity to come from renewable, zero-emission, or carbon-free resources.
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?-6
The bill prohibits requirements that force electricity procurement from renewable energy sources, which may reduce incentives for renewable investment.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Grid Reliability and Cost Control: The Act's stated purpose is to safeguard the reliability of the electric grid and prevent mandates that inflate electricity costs or distort energy infrastructure planning (Section 2).
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State-Owned Energy Freedom: While the bill limits mandates, it does not prohibit a State or its political subdivisions from owning or operating their own generation facilities that use renewable, zero-emission, or carbon-free energy resources (Section 4(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Loss of State Energy Standards: The bill prevents States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories from establishing or enforcing requirements that mandate a specific amount of electricity derived from renewable, zero-emission, or carbon-free energy resources (Section 4(a)(1)).
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Restriction on Market Participation Requirements: The bill stops regulatory authorities from conditioning participation in wholesale or retail electricity markets, cost recovery, or utility regulation on compliance with renewable energy requirements (Section 4(a)(2)).
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Invalidation of Existing Laws: Any existing State law or requirement that is inconsistent with the new restrictions will be preempted and will have no force or effect (Section 4(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.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Reduces Carbon Emissions-7Increases Renewable Energy Investment-6Improves Environmental Protections-5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights-8
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Middle Class Households+2Good For Urban Residents-2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+2
- 2/11/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Introduced in Senate