What does Preamble of DATA Act of 2026 do?

This bill aims to amend the Federal Power Act The amendment would exempt consumer-regulated electric utilities from Federal regulation

What does SHORT TITLE. of DATA Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the Decentralized Access to Technology Alternatives Act of 2026.

What does DEFINITIONS. of DATA Act of 2026 do?

This section defines key terms used within the Act. “Bulk-power system” is defined by reference to section 215(a) of the Federal Power Act. A “consumer-regulated electric utility” (CREU) is an electric system established after the Act’s enactment to serve new electric loads, and it may own facilities for generation, storage, transmission, distribution, and retail supply. CREUs must be physically islanded from regulated utilities, the bulk-power system, and the Bulk Electric System. An “eligible CREU customer” purchases electricity from a CREU and receives service exclusively through CREU facilities, also being physically islanded. “Electric Reliability Organization” is defined by reference to section 215(a) of the Federal Power Act. “Reliability standard” is defined by reference to section 215(a) of the Federal Power Act.

What does FEDERAL POWER ACT EXEMPTION. of DATA Act of 2026 do?

A consumer-regulated electric utility is exempt from Federal Power Act regulation Exemptions include rate regulation, corporate oversight, and transmission regulation The utility is not considered a public utility under the Federal Power Act It is not part of the bulk-power system unless it voluntarily connects

What does EXEMPTION OF NEW CREUS FROM FERC AND DOE REGULATION. of DATA Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes an exemption from Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and Secretary of Energy regulation for consumer-regulated electric utilities. The exemption applies to utilities beginning operations on or after the date of enactment of this Act. The exemption includes reliability standards and other standards, rules, regulations, or requirements under the Federal Power Act and other federal law. A utility's 'beginning of operations' is defined as the date it first generates, transmits, distributes, or sells electricity. The exemption terminates if the utility connects to the bulk-power system or another electric transmission/distribution system for primary or backup supply. Upon connecting to such a system, the utility ceases to be consumer-regulated and becomes subject to all applicable federal regulations.

What does PURPA EXEMPTION. of DATA Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 210 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 It adds an exemption for consumer-regulated electric utilities These utilities are not required to interconnect with, purchase from, or sell to other electric utilities

What does PUHCA EXEMPTION. of DATA Act of 2026 do?

Section 1268 of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16456) is amended. The amendment modifies the language preceding paragraph (1) by adding “(a) In General.--Except'. The amendment adds a new subsection (b) to exempt consumer-regulated electric utilities from certain provisions of the subtitle. This exemption applies to holding companies owning or controlling a consumer-regulated electric utility as defined in section 2 of the DATA Act of 2026.

What does FACILITIES LOCATED WITHIN PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY. of DATA Act of 2026 do?

Consumer-regulated electric utilities can construct and operate facilities within public rights-of-way. These utilities are subject to permitting, restoration, and public-safety requirements. Review of applications is limited to right-of-way restoration and storm-response planning.

Back to bills

DATA Act of 2026

Last updated: 4/21/2026 · Introduced: 4/21/2026

Author: Nicholas Begich (R-AK)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill exempts newly established, physically isolated electric utilities, known as consumer-regulated electric utilities (CREUs), from Federal Power Act regulations, including rate and transmission oversight.
Consumer-regulated electric utilities are also exempt from certain regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Secretary of Energy, as well as requirements under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 and the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005.
The bill allows consumer-regulated electric utilities to construct and operate facilities within public rights-of-way, subject to permitting and safety requirements.

119th Congressin committeeS. 3585(In Committee)Official page

Verified Votes

No verified votes yet.

Community Votes

No community votes yet. Be the first!

Voting as guest · Sign in for verified votes

Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 6 more.

8 sections

Click "Show details" to explore individual sections. Use the community vote above or visit All Sections to vote per section.

Read official text

Want the full experience?

Create a free account to cast verified votes on each section, get a personalized summary, and track your voting history.

Create Free Account