DATA Act of 2026

Key Points

• Creates a new kind of electric utility that serves only “new” power users and must be physically separated from the wider power grid.
• Says these new, grid-isolated utilities would not face key federal rules on rates, reliability, planning, and mergers that apply to most utilities.
• Also exempts them from federal energy oversight by the main federal power regulator and the Energy Department, as long as they stay disconnected.
• If one of these utilities later connects to the larger grid (even for backup power), it would immediately lose the exemption and be regulated like other utilities.
• Lets these utilities build power lines and related equipment in existing public rights-of-way, with permit review limited mostly to repair plans and storm response.