A Democratic bill with 14 Democratic cosponsors · See all 14 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
The SHIELD Act proposes to amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978. It introduces a new classification for "large load facilities," which are defined as facilities with a peak demand exceeding 75 megawatts. Under this bill, electric utilities must fully recover costs for grid upgrades from these specific large load consumers. Additionally, utilities are directed to prioritize service requests from these facilities if they use specific energy-reducing features or zero-emission energy. The act also establishes specific timelines for state regulatory authorities and nonregulated utilities to consider and implement these new standards.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +5
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?
The bill encourages the procurement and use of zero-emission energy like solar, wind, and geothermal.
- Scored +5
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill prevents large load facilities from shifting their infrastructure upgrade costs onto other consumer groups.
- Scored +4
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
The bill prioritizes service for facilities that utilize zero-emission energy and demand-reduction technologies.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Would business owners be better off under this?
Large load facility owners face significant financial risks due to mandatory cost recovery requirements even if they cease operations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Cost Recovery from Large Consumers: Under Section 2(a)(22)(B), electric utilities must recover all costs associated with grid upgrades—including generation, transmission, or distribution—directly from the large load facility class. This includes cases where the facility stops operating or uses less energy than expected, which ensures the costs of infrastructure upgrades are borne by the large consumer rather than other groups.
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Prioritized Grid Reliability through Efficiency: Section 2(a)(23) allows utilities to prioritize service requests for large load facilities that agree to use features that reduce demand during peak times, such as energy efficiency, onsite storage, or demand response technologies.
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Promotion of Zero-Emission Energy: Section 2(a)(23)(A) and (B) encourages the use of zero-emission electric energy, such as solar, wind, geothermal, fission, or fusion, which can be generated onsite or procured through a power purchase agreement to meet the facility's total demand.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Burden on Large Load Facilities: According to Section 2(a)(22)(B), large load facilities are required to fully pay for any upgrades to the electric grid, even if the facility eventually ceases operations or fails to use the projected amount of energy, which could result in significant unrecovered costs for the facility owner.
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Exclusion of Certain Existing Facilities: As defined in Section 2(b)(1)(B), the "large load facility" classification does not include existing facilities where increased demand is primarily caused by electrification or measures intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill encourages the procurement and use of zero-emission energy like solar, wind, and geothermal. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill prioritizes service for facilities that utilize zero-emission energy and demand-reduction technologies. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The act incentivizes the use of renewable and zero-emission energy sources.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill prevents large load facilities from shifting their infrastructure upgrade costs onto other consumer groups. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill establishes clear cost-recovery mechanisms for large-scale industrial energy infrastructure.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires utilities and state authorities to submit detailed reports to Congressional committees. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill mandates specific federal standards for state regulatory authorities and utilities regarding large load facilities.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — By forcing large load facilities to pay for their own grid upgrades, the bill helps prevent these costs from being passed to other consumers. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill protects middle-class consumers from bearing the costs of infrastructure required by massive energy consumers. Would business owners be better off under this? — Large load facility owners face significant financial risks due to mandatory cost recovery requirements even if they cease operations.
- 7/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/17/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/14/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Kathy CastorDemocrat · Florida
Salud CarbajalDemocrat · California
Sean CastenDemocrat · Illinois
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Chrissy HoulahanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Ted LieuDemocrat · California
Greg LandsmanDemocrat · Ohio
George LatimerDemocrat · New York
Seth MagazinerDemocrat · Rhode Island
Kevin MullinDemocrat · California
Chellie PingreeDemocrat · Maine
Mike QuigleyDemocrat · Illinois
Emilia SykesDemocrat · Ohio
Lauren UnderwoodDemocrat · Illinois