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S. 5306Senate119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Affordable Electricity Rates Act of 2026

Sponsored by Richard BlumenthalSen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
Introduced August 6, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated August 13, 2026 at 3:03 AM UTC

The Affordable Electricity Rates Act of 2026 amends the Federal Power Act to make affordability a factor when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) reviews electricity rates. It tells FERC to check whether a proposed rate would make retail electricity prices unaffordable for consumers, and to treat any rate that would raise prices by 5 % or more as likely unaffordable. If a rate is found unaffordable, it cannot be approved as "just and reasonable." The bill affects all electricity rates under FERC jurisdiction and the consumers who pay them.

Key Provisions

  • FERC must consider whether a rate or charge would likely cause retail electricity prices to be unaffordable for consumers, using the definition from the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978.
  • If a rate is expected to increase retail electricity prices by 5 % or more, FERC must presume the rate is likely unaffordable.
  • Any rate judged likely to be unaffordable is prohibited from being deemed "just and reasonable" and therefore cannot be approved.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

August 6, 2026

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

August 6, 2026

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

August 6, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued August 6, 2026

II

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 5306

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

August 6, 2026

Mr. Blumenthal introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

A BILL

To amend the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to consider the effects of Commission-jurisdictional rates on the affordability of electricity for consumers, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Affordable Electricity Rates Act of 2026.

2.

Consideration of effects of rates on consumer affordability

Section 201 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(h)

Affordability as a component of just and reasonable rates

(1)

In general

In making any determination of whether a rate or charge is just and reasonable under this part, the Commission shall—

(A)

consider whether the rate or charge is likely to result in retail electricity prices that are unaffordable for electric consumers (as defined in section 3 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2602)); and

(B)

presume that the rate or charge is likely to result in retail electricity prices that are unaffordable for electric consumers (as so defined) if the Commission determines that the rate or charge is likely to result in an increase in retail electricity prices of 5 percent or more.

(2)

Unaffordable rates and charges prohibited

If the Commission determines under paragraph (1) that a rate or charge is likely to result in retail electricity prices that are unaffordable for electric consumers (as defined in section 3 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2602)), such rate or charge shall not be considered to be just and reasonable for purposes of this part.

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