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119-s-4337119th CongressWALLET

No Big Fossil Bailouts on Your Power Bill Act

Sponsored By: Senator Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

Introduced

Summary

Limit emergency orders that keep fossil-fuel plants operating and add public hearings, cost estimates, and alternatives analysis to any Federal Power Act emergency action. The bill would tighten when and how the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission can use emergency authority and boost transparency and coordination around those orders.

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  • Families and ratepayers would get clearer cost visibility and notice. The bill would require customer-facing notices within 60 days and public reports estimating incremental system costs to utilities and customers.
  • Utilities and plant owners would face new limits on being ordered to delay retirements. The bill would bar emergency orders that prevent or delay permanent closures except in narrow cases where no other option exists and a Transmission Organization requests a delay.
  • Regulators, agencies, and the public would see stronger process and oversight. The bill would force FERC to analyze and consider lower-impact alternatives, hold hearings, coordinate with other agencies, and publish public online dockets and renewal rules to prevent open-ended use of emergency authority.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Ban on forced power plant operations

If enacted, the bill would stop FERC from issuing emergency orders that delay a plant's retirement or force a retired plant to run. There is one narrow exception. FERC could act only if the emergency cannot be met any other way and the applicable Transmission Organization sends a written request to delay that retirement or closure.

More transparency for power emergencies

This bill would make FERC do more study and public work before issuing emergency power orders. FERC would have to consider alternatives that meet the emergency while lowering environmental and rate impacts. FERC would have to open a public online docket, publish notices (including retirement-delay requests), hold public hearings, and consult relevant state and local agencies. Each order would need a written report explaining the emergency, the alternatives considered, and estimated extra system costs to utilities and customers. Initial orders must meet the analysis rules "to the maximum extent practicable," and renewed orders for the same facility must fully comply.

Utilities must tell customers about costs

If your electric utility is affected by an emergency order, the utility would have to send written notice to its customers within 60 days. The notice would identify the order (with a link or how to find it) and describe current and expected impacts. It would list extra costs that may occur or be expected, such as additional fuel, maintenance, capital, or labor costs. The rule applies to utilities the Commission names and any utility that expects to be affected.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

MA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 4/16/2026

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 4/16/2026

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 4/16/2026

  • Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 4/16/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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