A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the American Renewable Energy Act of 2026, requires large retail electricity suppliers to get a growing percentage of their power from renewable energy sources between 2027 and 2036. It sets up a Federal renewable electricity credit system so companies can buy, sell, or trade credits to meet their annual targets. The legislation also includes specific equity requirements to ensure a portion of this renewable energy comes from distributed generation and impacted communities. Suppliers that fail to meet these requirements must pay alternative compliance penalties or civil fines. Additionally, the bill clarifies that states have the authority to adopt their own renewable energy incentive programs and set rates for participating facilities.
Yes· 3 of 33
- Scored +9
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
The legislation mandates that retail electricity suppliers achieve a 70 percent renewable electricity share by 2036, drastically cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
- Scored +9
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?
Creating a national renewable electricity standard and credit trading system directly drives robust investments into wind, solar, geothermal, and other clean energy sources.
- Scored +8
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
Regulations prioritize maximizing reductions in criteria air pollutants and greenhouse gases, specifically targeting improvements in impacted communities.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced?
By rapidly shifting electricity generation toward renewables, the bill creates strong regulatory pressure away from fossil fuel-based power generation.
- Scored -2
Would middle-income households be better off under this?
Strict compliance mandates and utility costs could potentially be passed down to everyday consumers through higher electricity prices.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Equity Requirements for Distributed Generation: Under Section 3(a) adding Section 610(b)(2)(A), retail electricity suppliers must ensure that at least 15 percent (from 2027 through 2030) and at least 20 percent (from 2031 through 2036) of their renewable electricity credits come from distributed generation. This is positive because it promotes local, noncentralized clean energy installations near the point of use.
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Benefits for Impacted and Environmental Justice Communities: Under Section 3(a) adding Section 610(b)(2)(B), suppliers are required to source a portion of their renewable energy from impacted communities, starting at 15 percent and increasing to 20 percent. This helps direct clean energy investments toward low-income areas and communities historically burdened by pollution.
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Pollution Reduction and Public Health Mandates: Under Section 3(a) adding Section 610(c)(2)(D) and (E), regulations must prioritize measures that maximize greenhouse gas and criteria air pollutant reductions in impacted communities, ensuring a net decrease in harmful air pollution. This is positive because it aims to directly improve public health in vulnerable neighborhoods.
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Local Economic and Resiliency Benefits: Under Section 3(a) adding Section 610(c)(2)(F), the deployment of new renewable electricity generation must provide economic, health, and resiliency benefits to host areas, utilizing community benefit agreements. This ensures communities hosting new energy projects share directly in the rewards.
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State Funds for Clean Energy and Efficiency: Under Section 3(a) adding Section 610(f)(2) and (3), alternative compliance payments made by failing suppliers go directly to state treasuries to be used for deploying renewable energy, storage, or energy efficiency programs, with at least 50 percent of these funds designed to directly benefit impacted communities.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Compliance Costs for Electricity Suppliers: Under Section 3(a) adding Section 610(b)(1) and (d)(2), retail electricity suppliers face strict annual quotas that scale up rapidly from 20 percent in 2027 to 70 percent in 2036. This mandate could create heavy financial and administrative burdens for utilities, which may potentially get passed down to everyday consumers in the form of higher electricity prices.
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Financial Penalties for Non-Compliance: Under Section 3(a) adding Section 610(f)(1) and (h)(1), suppliers that fail to meet their renewable energy targets must pay a steep alternative compliance payment of $50 per missing credit (adjusted for inflation) or face double that amount as a civil penalty. While intended to enforce compliance, these financial penalties ultimately burden the utilities and could lead to increased operational costs.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The legislation targets impacted and environmental justice communities—often disproportionately communities of color—for priority pollution reduction and clean energy investments. Would children be better off under this? — Reduced air pollution and aggressive greenhouse gas reductions create healthier living environments for children. Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill explicitly includes farm anaerobic digestion as a qualifying renewable energy resource, offering new economic opportunities for farmers. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — By prioritizing emissions reductions and clean energy deployment in vulnerable and impacted areas, the bill helps protect Hispanic communities historically burdened by pollution. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Mandatory equity requirements ensure that renewable energy projects and at least 50 percent of alternative compliance funds directly benefit low-income and impacted communities. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Rural areas hosting wind, solar, and farm-based anaerobic digestion projects benefit economically through host area provisions and community benefit agreements. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Distributed generation and localized clean energy installations help reduce urban air pollution and improve grid resilience. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Provisions protecting impacted communities help reduce environmental health disparities affecting low-income and minority populations. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Tribal programs and communities are integrated into the framework, facilitating coordination and support for renewable energy deployment. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Lowering criteria air pollutants provides significant health benefits for seniors, who are often more vulnerable to respiratory and cardiovascular ailments. Would union members be better off under this? — Large-scale construction and installation of new renewable energy generation facilities will drive demand for skilled union labor. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Growth in the renewable energy sector creates expanding career and job opportunities for younger generations. Would business owners be better off under this? — Renewable energy developers and businesses participating in clean tech markets benefit from increased federal demand and credit trading. Would immigrants be better off under this? — Focusing clean energy investments in historically underserved and low-income areas benefits immigrant communities residing in those neighborhoods. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Broader adoption of clean energy improves overall public health and local community resilience. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Cleaner air and reduced environmental pollutants improve health outcomes for individuals with chronic respiratory conditions and disabilities. Would retired people be better off under this? — Improved air quality and public health initiatives benefit retirees living in impacted or vulnerable communities. Would women be better off under this? — Targeting low-income households and environmental justice communities provides broad socioeconomic benefits that support women and families. Would students be better off under this? — The expansion of clean energy industries fosters educational and vocational training programs aligned with sustainable technologies. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — General economic growth and clean energy sector job expansion can provide new employment pathways for veterans. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Strict compliance mandates and utility costs could potentially be passed down to everyday consumers through higher electricity prices.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — Creating a national renewable electricity standard and credit trading system directly drives robust investments into wind, solar, geothermal, and other clean energy sources. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The legislation mandates that retail electricity suppliers achieve a 70 percent renewable electricity share by 2036, drastically cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Regulations prioritize maximizing reductions in criteria air pollutants and greenhouse gases, specifically targeting improvements in impacted communities. Does this invest in rural communities? — The development of renewable energy resources, such as wind, solar, and farm anaerobic digestion, provides economic development opportunities in rural communities. Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced? — By rapidly shifting electricity generation toward renewables, the bill creates strong regulatory pressure away from fossil fuel-based power generation.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill establishes a federal renewable electricity standard that will drive investment and job creation in renewable energy generation, distributed generation, and storage technologies. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By mandating a transition to renewable energy and creating credit trading markets, the legislation stimulates long-term economic activity in the clean energy sector. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Provisions encouraging distributed generation and community ownership provide opportunities for smaller-scale clean energy developers and local businesses. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Alternative compliance payments and civil penalties paid by non-compliant utilities generate revenue for state treasuries and the federal government.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill establishes a nationwide federal renewable electricity standard and grants regulatory and enforcement authority to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — States receiving alternative compliance payments are required to submit detailed annual reports to the Commission providing a full accounting of fund usage. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The legislation explicitly preserves state authority to adopt more stringent renewable energy programs, set rates, and directly administer alternative compliance funds.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill explicitly mandates that a significant percentage of renewable energy credits come from impacted and environmental justice communities, helping to address historic environmental inequalities. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Directing clean energy investments and alternative compliance funds to low-income and disadvantaged communities helps alleviate economic and environmental burdens in those areas.
- 9/17/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Introduced in House
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.