What does Preamble of Energy Bills Relief Act do?

This bill is formally titled 'To provide relief from high energy bills, and for other purposes.' The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on March 18, 2026, by Mr. Casten and several co-sponsors. The bill was referred to multiple committees, including the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for consideration.

What does REPEALING H.R. 1 ROLLBACKS OF LOW-COST, CLEAN ENERGY TAX of Energy Bills Relief Act do?

This section repeals Subchapter A of chapter 5 of subtitle A of title VII of Public Law 119-21. The provisions of law amended by the repealed subchapter are amended to read as if the subchapter had never been enacted. These amendments take effect as if included in the original subchapter.

What does REVERSING GRANT TERMINATIONS FOR LOW-COST, CLEAN ENERGY. of Energy Bills Relief Act do?

This section prohibits the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Transportation from terminating, renegotiating, or denying future funding for Federal awards based on the award no longer aligning with program goals or agency priorities. Awards terminated, renegotiated, rescoped, or denied funding after January 19, 2025, for this reason, must be reinstated to their previous terms and conditions. The prohibition applies to actions taken pursuant to section 200.340(a)(4) of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations.

What does PREVENTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE ABUSE OF FEDERAL PERMITTING OF of Energy Bills Relief Act do?

This section requires the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to ensure that permitting processes for clean energy projects (wind, solar, storage, and related electric transmission) are not more restrictive than those for oil, gas, or coal projects. CEQ must review regulations and guidance documents to identify and rescind or amend provisions that do not comply with the parity requirement. The Comptroller General will annually report to Congress on permitting actions for energy projects, comparing processes and timelines for clean energy and fossil fuel projects. The Secretary of the Interior is restricted from approving certain fossil fuel permits unless corresponding approvals for wind or solar development have been issued. The section establishes deadlines for completing environmental reviews under NEPA for clean energy projects and issuing rights-of-way. It provides for judicial review of actions that suspend or prevent clean energy projects, with expedited timelines for decisions. The Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) is amended to include renewable energy generation, transmission, and storage as historical values and to mandate management of public lands to facilitate renewable energy. The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) is amended to include considerations for energy generation potential and renewable energy mandates in the leasing process.

What does RATEPAYER PROTECTION AGAINST UNECONOMIC POWER GENERATION. of Energy Bills Relief Act do?

This section amends Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act. It transfers authority from the Commission to the Secretary of Energy regarding emergency orders for power generation. The Secretary must explain why an order best meets an emergency and serves the public interest. For orders exceeding 96 hours, the Secretary must detail the methodology used to determine the necessary duration. Before renewing or reissuing an order, the Secretary must conduct a study of alternatives to reduce net costs. A petition for judicial review of renewed or reissued orders can be filed under section 313(b) without requiring a request for rehearing. The Commission must publish estimates of costs expected to be incurred by electric utilities and customers within 30 days of an order. Affected electric utilities must provide written descriptions of incurred or expected costs to their customers within 60 days of an order.

What does LOWERING HOUSEHOLD HEATING AND COOLING BILLS. of Energy Bills Relief Act do?

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What does HOME WEATHERIZATION. of Energy Bills Relief Act do?

This section amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to modify various aspects of the weatherization program. It increases the average cost per dwelling unit for weatherization from $6,500 to $12,000. The section clarifies limitations regarding reweatherization and removes references to other federal programs. Paragraph (4) concerning renewable energy systems is removed from the Energy Conservation and Production Act. A new 'Weatherization Readiness Program' is established to address structural, plumbing, roofing, electrical issues, and environmental hazards in low-income housing. The program aims to prepare dwelling units for weatherization measures, reducing deferrals due to unsafe or ineffective conditions. The Secretary is directed to align the readiness program's requirements with the existing weatherization program and seek funding from various sources. The program will not include a savings-to-investment ratio requirement. Weatherization readiness measures implemented under this program will not be considered previous weatherization. The Secretary will establish a limit for average expenditures per dwelling unit for readiness measures. Funding will be allocated to states and tribal organizations consistent with the existing weatherization program's allocation method. The method for allocating funding may be updated after October 1, 2029, to better reflect relative need. Up to 15% of grant funds may be used for administrative expenses, with limitations on state administrative costs.

What does REFLECTIVE ROOFING. of Energy Bills Relief Act do?

This section establishes a program to provide rebates to eligible households for the purchase and installation of eligible cool roof products. Rebate amounts vary based on the roof slope and the product's solar reflectance and thermal emittance properties, ranging from $0.25 to $0.75 per square foot. Eligible households are defined as those with an annual income less than 200% of the ZIP Code's median income, residing in areas with high Heat and Health Index scores, with exceptions for Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories. The Secretary is required to ensure that at least 40% of the energy savings from the program benefit low-income or high energy burden households. States and electricity suppliers must publish annual reports detailing program participation, savings, and health outcomes disaggregated by income and demographic characteristics. The program will terminate on September 30, 2030, and a final report to Congress is due within six months of termination. A total of $25,000,000 is authorized for appropriation for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 to carry out the program.

What does DOMESTIC NATURAL GAS PRICE PROTECTION. of Energy Bills Relief Act do?

This section amends the Natural Gas Act to require that no person may export natural gas from the United States without first obtaining an order from the Secretary of Energy. The Secretary of Energy can only issue such an order if they find, after a hearing, that the proposed exportation is consistent with the public interest. The Secretary's determination of public interest must consider potential impacts on climate change, energy prices, and environmental justice concerns. The Secretary must conduct assessments related to climate change, economic impact, and environmental justice before making a determination. The climate change assessment must consider greenhouse gas emissions, impacts on clean energy alternatives, and the social cost of emissions. The economic assessment must evaluate impacts on various consumer subgroups, including low-income consumers and small businesses. The environmental justice assessment must consider preexisting environmental burdens and social risks in impacted communities. The Secretary must provide opportunities for public participation in the decision-making process. Issuing an order authorizing natural gas exportation is considered a major federal action under the National Environmental Policy Act. The categorical exclusion for approval or disapproval of natural gas exportation is terminated.

What does RURAL ENERGY SAVINGS. of Energy Bills Relief Act do?

This section amends Section 6407 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107a) to modify rural energy savings programs. It expands eligibility to include Indian Tribes as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). The Secretary is authorized to provide both loans and grants to eligible entities for energy efficiency measures. Eligible entities can elect to receive a grant of up to 5% of the loan amount, or 10% in persistent poverty counties. Loan terms for qualified consumers may now be based on the useful life of the energy efficiency measures, up to 20 years. The section modifies requirements related to training and outreach programs. Funding for outreach, training, and technical assistance is authorized from amounts made available under subsection (i).

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Energy Bills Relief Act

Last updated: 3/18/2026 · Introduced: 3/18/2026

Author: Sean Casten (D-IL)

AI TL;DR will appear after bill summary generation completes.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 6981(In Committee)Official page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, repealing h.r. 1 rollbacks of low-cost, clean energy tax, and 3 more.

5 sections