Bill · S. 4351· Senate(119-S-4351)
Energy Consumer Protection Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 4/21/2026
- Last activity
- 4/21/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Catherine Cortez Masto
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Energy Consumer Protection Act of 2026 aims to amend the Federal Power Act and the Natural Gas Act. It seeks to strengthen enforcement regarding certain energy sector provisions. The bill grants the Commission authority to prohibit or suspend individuals or entities from trading electric energy, electric energy products, or transmission services for violations. It also establishes a prohibition against willfully reporting false information regarding natural gas transportation or sales. Finally, it expands the Commission's power to prohibit or suspend those who violate these new natural gas reporting rules.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+5
The bill protects consumers by preventing market manipulation and false data reporting in the energy sector.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+4
The bill increases the integrity and transparency of energy market data by prohibiting the willful reporting of false information.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+2
Preventing fraudulent reporting of energy prices helps ensure that energy market prices are not artificially manipulated.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Accountability for Energy Trading: Under Section 2, the Commission can prohibit or suspend persons from the business of purchasing or selling electric energy, electric energy products, or transmission services if they violate sections 221 or 222 of the Federal Power Act. This could prevent bad actors from continuing harmful practices in the electric market.
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Prevention of Fraudulent Natural Gas Data: Section 2(b)(1) prohibits persons from willfully and knowingly reporting false information to federal or private-sector price-reporting agencies regarding the transportation or sale of natural gas. This ensures that the data used to track natural gas availability and prices is accurate and not fraudulently affected.
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Stronger Enforcement in the Natural Gas Market: Section 2(b)(2) allows the Commission to prohibit or suspend persons from the business of purchasing or selling natural gas or transmission services for violating the new rules against false information. This provides a mechanism to stop those who attempt to manipulate the natural gas market through false reporting.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Broad Discretionary Power for the Commission: Under Section 2(a)(1) and Section 2(b)(2), the Commission has the authority to prohibit or suspend persons "conditionally or unconditionally, permanently or for such period of time as the Commission determines to be appropriate." This broad authority could lead to significant impacts on those engaged in the energy business.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Urban Residents+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+2
- 4/21/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Maria CantwellDemocrat · Washington