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HR10468119th CongressWALLET

State Energy Oversight Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]

Introduced

Summary

Strengthens state utility oversight by creating a Department of Energy program to give States money and technical help for rate cases, consumer advocacy, and affordability work.

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  • States and commissions: Gives State utility commissions funding and technical help for data collection, modeling, rate-case analysis, hiring and training staff, and energy affordability studies. The program authorizes $50 million per year and guarantees at least 1% of program funding for each State.
  • Residential and small business customers: Funds independent public advocates, intervenor grants, and new rate-design and affordability tools such as percentage-of-income payment plans and arrears management to improve protections and access to relief.
  • Transparency, training, and capacity building: Requires annual public reporting and online posting, creates a national energy-rate database maintained by the Energy Information Administration with at least annual updates, and reserves 10% of program money for technical assistance, training, and fellowships.

*Authorizes $50 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, totaling $250 million in authorized funding.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More state help for utility customers

If enacted, the Department of Energy would run a grant program to help States oversee electric and gas utilities. The program would get $50 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Each State would get at least 1% of funds. Ten percent would be set aside for training and technical help. Grants would fund rate-design pilots, affordability programs, and arrears-management efforts. They would also support public advocates, intervenor funding, and help people access bill assistance and weatherization. States would have to maintain existing State funding levels for these activities. States would report each year on fund use, and the Energy Information Administration would publish a national energy-rate database at least once a year. If a State failed to report, the Secretary would withhold and redistribute future funds.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]

NY • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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