Lowering Utility Bills Act
Rep. Casar and House Democrats Push Bill to Cut Utility Bills by Limiting Profits and Lobbying Expenses
This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and is being reviewed by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. It is actively moving forward as it waits for the committee to discuss its contents. There are no upcoming votes scheduled at this time.
Legislative Progress
This bill is supported only by Democrats and faces strong opposition from the utility industry. It is unlikely to pass in a divided Congress where many members support current utility regulations.
Key Points
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
The bill includes a rule of construction protecting existing collective bargaining agreements, which shields utility workers' current contracts. However, if utilities face tighter profit margins, there could be long-term pressure on workforce spending. The bill's cost-saving focus could also reduce investment in new projects, potentially affecting construction and maintenance jobs.
“Nothing in this section shall be construed to preempt, diminish, or interfere with a collective bargaining agreement that is in place on the date of the enactment of this section.”
Programs
Milestones
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
2 articles
Top progressive releases bill to lower energy prices
The “Lowering Utility Bills Act,” introduced by Reps. Greg Casar and Josh Riley, would close loopholes allowing for-profit utilities to claim higher returns on investment than they are owed. It directs FERC to set a more rigorous standard for authorizing utility profits.
Rep. Greg Casar unveils bill targeting utility costs as part of progressives’ “affordability agenda”
The bill requires federal regulators to establish a “reasonable” return on equity that accounts for the lower risk faced by electric and gas utilities due to their captive customer bases. Violators could face a $1 million penalty per day.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Lowering Utility Bills Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(22)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.