METRIC Act

Key Points

• This bill requires the Department of Energy to update how it tracks and reports the nation's energy use. The current system was designed for fuels that burn, like coal and oil, and does not always accurately show the value of newer sources like wind and solar.
• The Energy Information Administration would be required to track 'incident energy.' This measures the total power available from natural sources—such as sunlight, wind, or heat from the earth—before it is turned into electricity or other usable forms.
• The goal is to provide a clearer picture of how the country is moving toward cleaner energy and how efficient different power systems really are. Better data helps the government and businesses make smarter decisions about the power grid.
• The Secretary of Energy must complete a study on these measurement methods and report the findings to Congress within 18 months. All new data and the methods used to collect it must be made available to the public online in an easy-to-use format.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.