Ratepayer Affordability and Transparency in Energy Act of 2026
S. 3839119th Congress

Ratepayer Affordability and Transparency in Energy Act of 2026

Introduced in the SenateSen. Tom Cotton (R-AR)16 sections · 1 min read
Version: is · Apr 20, 2026

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Ratepayer Affordability and Transparency in Energy Act of 2026.

Section 2. Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to safeguard the reliability of the electric grid by preempting State climate mandates, including renewable portfolio standards, that obstruct or distort energy infrastructure planning, inflate electricity costs, or otherwise imperil grid reliability.

Section 3. Definitions

In this Act:

(1) State law

The term State law includes any constitution, statute, regulation, rule, ordinance, charter, order, or other authority of—

(A) a State; or

(B) any political subdivision of a State.

(2) State

The term State means—

(A) a State;

(B) the District of Columbia;

(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and

(D) any other territory or possession of the United States.

(a) In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no State, political subdivision of a State, or regulatory authority may establish, enforce, or continue in effect any requirement, standard, mandate, or program that—

(1) requires electricity generation, retail electricity sales, or electricity procurement to include a specified percentage or quantity of electricity derived from renewable, zero-emission, or carbon-free energy resources; or

(2) conditions participation in wholesale or retail electricity markets, cost recovery, or utility regulation on compliance with a requirement described in paragraph (1).

(b) Voidness of inconsistent laws

Any State law or other requirement that is inconsistent with subsection (a) is hereby preempted and shall have no force or effect.

(c) Savings provision

Nothing in this section prohibits a State, political subdivision of a State, or regulatory authority, as applicable, from owning or operating generation facilities that use renewable, zero-emission, or carbon-free energy resources.

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