A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
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 Access to Consumer Energy Information Act, also known as the E-Access Act, aims to promote competition in digital energy management tools. It focuses on enhancing how consumers access their electric and natural gas usage and cost information. The bill allows for the creation of innovative products and services to help people and organizations manage energy usage. It also seeks to improve the reliability of the electric grid. Additionally, the bill directs the development of guidelines for data sharing standards between utilities and consumers. Finally, it requires a report on the costs and benefits of using meter data for settling market prices.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +5
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill enhances consumer protection by establishing data sharing standards and addressing competition issues in digital energy management.
- Scored +4
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill specifically addresses data privacy and the use of security programs like DataGuard.
- Scored +4
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The bill includes specific guidelines to protect consumer privacy and energy data security.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Control Over Energy Information: The bill aims to enhance consumer access to electric energy and natural gas information, which helps people understand their usage and costs (Section 3(a)).
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Access to Innovative Tools: The legislation facilitates the development and adoption of new products and services to assist consumers in managing their energy consumption and expenses (Section 3(a)).
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Improved Energy Efficiency: By promoting competition, the act seeks to increase the adoption of performance-based energy efficiency and demand response programs (Section 3(a)).
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Standardized and Accessible Data: The bill directs the creation of guidelines to ensure energy data is available in electronic, machine-readable forms without additional charges, providing at least 24 months of historical information (Section 3(b)(4)(B)).
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Consumer Choice in Technology: The bill specifies that consumers have the right to select, install, and operate software applications of their choosing on their electric meters, provided they meet reasonable technical requirements (Section 3(b)(4)(J)(iv)).
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Financial Assistance for States: The Secretary is authorized to provide funds to States that implement specific energy programs to assist in their implementation (Section 3(c)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Privacy and Security Risks: While the bill includes guidelines for protecting consumer privacy through programs like DataGuard, the transmission of sensitive retail electric and natural gas information to third-party designees inherently involves the handling of personal and usage data (Section 3(b)(4)(B)(v)).
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Potential for Competition Issues: The bill notes that owners of electric meter software platforms must address issues such as self-preferencing and the use of default software that could reduce consumer choice (Section 3(b)(4)(J)(iii)).
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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill specifically addresses data privacy and the use of security programs like DataGuard. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill promotes transparency by requiring reports on energy data settlement and performance of data-sharing. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill empowers the Secretary of Energy and the Commission to set national standards for energy data. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill allows States to implement specific energy programs and seeks to work with State and local regulatory authorities.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill facilitates innovation in digital energy management tools, which can benefit businesses providing these services. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Increased access to energy information and efficiency programs can help lower utility costs for low-income families. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Enhanced competition and control over energy usage can lead to cost savings for middle-class consumers.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill enhances consumer protection by establishing data sharing standards and addressing competition issues in digital energy management.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill includes specific guidelines to protect consumer privacy and energy data security.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Is this likely to lower the price at the pump? — The bill could help lower energy costs through increased competition and energy efficiency tools.
- 2/26/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland