Bill · S. 3926· Senate(119-S-3926)
E-Access Act
- Introduced
- 2/26/2026
- Last activity
- 2/26/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Peter Welch
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 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 promote competition in digital energy management tools. It focuses on enhancing how consumers access their electric and natural gas usage and cost information. The bill allows for the creation of innovative products and services to help people and organizations manage energy usage. It also seeks to improve the reliability of the electric grid. Additionally, the bill directs the development of guidelines for data sharing standards between utilities and consumers. Finally, it requires a report on the costs and benefits of using meter data for settling market prices.
Yes· 3 of 10
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+5
The bill enhances consumer protection by establishing data sharing standards and addressing competition issues in digital energy management.
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?+4
The bill specifically addresses data privacy and the use of security programs like DataGuard.
Does this give people more control over their personal data?+4
The bill includes specific guidelines to protect consumer privacy and energy data security.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Control Over Energy Information: The bill aims to enhance consumer access to electric energy and natural gas information, which helps people understand their usage and costs (Section 3(a)).
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Access to Innovative Tools: The legislation facilitates the development and adoption of new products and services to assist consumers in managing their energy consumption and expenses (Section 3(a)).
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Improved Energy Efficiency: By promoting competition, the act seeks to increase the adoption of performance-based energy efficiency and demand response programs (Section 3(a)).
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Standardized and Accessible Data: The bill directs the creation of guidelines to ensure energy data is available in electronic, machine-readable forms without additional charges, providing at least 24 months of historical information (Section 3(b)(4)(B)).
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Consumer Choice in Technology: The bill specifies that consumers have the right to select, install, and operate software applications of their choosing on their electric meters, provided they meet reasonable technical requirements (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 and Security Risks: While the bill includes guidelines for protecting consumer privacy through programs like DataGuard, the transmission of sensitive retail electric and natural gas information to third-party designees inherently involves the handling of personal and usage data (Section 3(b)(4)(B)(v)).
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Potential for Competition Issues: The bill notes that owners of electric meter software platforms must address issues such as self-preferencing and the use of default software that could reduce consumer choice (Section 3(b)(4)(J)(iii)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Privacy Rights+4Improves Government Transparency+3Increases Federal Power+2Increase States Rights+1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+3Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Middle Class Households+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+5
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Reduces Gas Prices+3
- 2/26/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 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.
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland