Bill · S. 5306· Senate(119-S-5306)
Affordable Electricity Rates Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 8/6/2026
- Last activity
- 8/6/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Richard Blumenthal
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Affordable Electricity Rates Act of 2026," aims to amend the Federal Power Act. It seeks to change how the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission evaluates electricity rates. The bill requires the Commission to consider how its rates affect the affordability of electricity for consumers. Specifically, it introduces a presumption that a rate is unaffordable if it increases retail electricity prices by 5 percent or more. If a rate is determined to be unaffordable, it cannot be considered just and reasonable.
Yes
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
Lower income households benefit from the protection against significant electricity price increases.
Would middle-income households be better off under this?+5
Middle class households benefit from the protection against significant electricity price increases.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+5
The bill provides consumer protection by limiting significant electricity price increases.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Consideration of Affordability: The Commission would be required to consider whether a rate or charge is likely to result in retail electricity prices that are unafforable for electric consumers (Section 2, paragraph (h)(1)(A)).
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Protection Against Significant Price Increases: The bill creates a presumption that a rate is unaffordable if it results in a retail electricity price increase of 5 percent or more (Section 2, paragraph (h)(1)(B)).
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Prohibition of Unaffordable Rates: If the Commission determines a rate or charge is likely to result in unaffordable prices, that rate shall not be considered just and reasonable (Section 2, paragraph (h)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly identified within the provided text.
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+5Good For Middle Class Households+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+5
- 8/6/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Introduced in Senate