A Democratic bill with 12 Democratic cosponsors · See all 12 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 Energy Consumer Protection Act of 2026 aims to amend the Federal Power Act and the Natural Gas Act. It seeks to strengthen the enforcement of certain provisions regarding energy markets. The bill provides the Commission with authority to prohibit or suspend persons from engaging in the business of purchasing or selling electric energy, electric energy products, or transmission services due to violations. Additionally, it establishes a prohibition against willfully and knowingly reporting false information regarding natural gas. The act also grants the Commission authority to prohibit or suspend those who violate these new rules from trading natural gas or transmission services.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +5
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill enhances market integrity by prohibiting false reporting and allowing the suspension of bad actors in energy markets.
- Scored +4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The act prevents the fraudulent manipulation of data provided to federal agencies, promoting more accurate public and regulatory records.
- Scored +3
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Increased market integrity and prevention of false price reporting may help prevent artificial price spikes in energy costs.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Enforcement in Electric Markets: Under Section 2, the Commission is granted the power to prohibit or suspend persons from 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 serve as a deterrent against improper practices in the electric energy business.
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Improved Data Integrity for Natural Gas: Section 2 (amending the Natural Gas Act) prohibits persons from willfully and knowingly reporting false information to Federal or private-sector price-reporting agencies regarding natural gas transportation or sale. This ensures that the data being compiled is more accurate.
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Stronger Penalties for Natural Gas Violations: The bill expands the Commission's authority to prohibit or suspend persons from the business of purchasing or selling natural gas or transmission services if they violate the new rules regarding false information.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Broad Authority for Suspensions: Under Section 2, the Commission has the power to prohibit or suspend persons from business activities either "conditionally or unconditionally, permanently or for such period of time as the Commission determines to be appropriate." This grants the Commission significant discretion over how long a person is barred from the market.
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 households on low incomes be better off under this? — Increased market integrity and prevention of false price reporting may help prevent artificial price spikes in energy costs. Would people in cities be better off under this? — More stable and transparent energy markets can lead to more predictable utility and energy costs for residents.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill enhances market integrity by prohibiting false reporting and allowing the suspension of bad actors in energy markets.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The act prevents the fraudulent manipulation of data provided to federal agencies, promoting more accurate public and regulatory records.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — By ensuring accurate reporting of natural gas data, the bill promotes more reliable oversight of energy resources.
- 4/21/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 12 Cosponsors added.
- 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.
Donald BeyerDemocrat · Virginia
Ed CaseDemocrat · Hawaii
Kathy CastorDemocrat · Florida
Sean CastenDemocrat · Illinois
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Jared HuffmanDemocrat · California
Pramila JayapalDemocrat · Washington
Robin KellyDemocrat · Illinois
Zoe LofgrenDemocrat · California
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Mike QuigleyDemocrat · Illinois