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HR 8448

Energy Affordability and Reliability Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Josh Gottheimer and 1 co-sponsor

Creates the Office of Energy Affordability to assess energy policy impacts on consumer costs, provide guidance, and report findings annually.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 8448

Summary of HR 8448 — Energy Affordability and Reliability Act of 2026

Objective

Establishes the Office of Energy Affordability within the Department of Energy (DOE) to ensure proposed energy regulations and policies are analyzed for their impact on energy affordability and related economic costs, while promoting reliable and cost-effective energy access.

Key Provisions

  • Establishment of Office: Within 180 days after enactment, the Secretary of Energy must create the Office of Energy Affordability in the DOE Office of Policy.

  • Duties and Scope:

    • The Office must review any DOE regulation or policy that involves a transition between energy types or sources. The review screens for:
    • Transparent, rigorous analysis of short-term and long-term effects on energy affordability and related economic costs.
    • Strategies to prevent negative impacts on affordability and to mitigate related costs.
    • Support for reliable energy access for consumers and promotion of cost-effective energy solutions.
    • Based on the review, the Office provides advice and guidance.

  • Timely Review:

    • The Office must complete its review within 30 days of receiving notice of a proposed regulation or policy.
    • The Office may not block or prevent the issuance of regulations or policies.

  • Annual Reporting:

    • Each year, the Office must report to the relevant congressional committees on:
    • The analyzed effects on energy affordability and other specified impacts for regulations or policies proposed or issued during that year.
    • Recommendations for strategies to improve affordability and mitigate costs.

  • Five-Year Effectiveness Review:

    • The Secretary must submit a report to Congress no later than five years after establishment assessing the Office’s effectiveness.

  • Definitions and Scope:

    • Energy affordability: The cost of energy transmitted to residential, commercial, or industrial users relative to their income or operating costs.
    • Appropriate congressional committees: House Energy and Commerce and Appropriations; Senate Energy and Natural Resources and Appropriations.

Practical Impact

  • Creates a formal, centralized evaluative gate within DOE for affordability considerations as energy policy evolves.
  • Aims to increase transparency around how energy transitions might affect consumer costs and business operating expenses.
  • Does not authorize veto power over regulations; instead, it provides expedited reviews and formal guidance to policymakers.
  • Establishes regular accountability through annual and five-year effectiveness reporting to Congress.

Who is Affected

  • DOE regulatory and policy proposals related to energy transitions (e.g., shifts between energy sources or technologies).
  • Residential, commercial, and industrial energy users who potentially face affordability changes.
  • Congress, which will receive ongoing analyses and recommendations via the new Office’s reports.

Timeline Highlights

  • Enactment triggers creation of the Office within 180 days.
  • Each proposed or issued regulation/policy reviewed within 30 days of notice.
  • Annual reporting obligation to Congress.
  • Five-year benchmark reassessment of the Office’s effectiveness.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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