No Big Fossil Bailouts on Your Power Bill Act

Key Points

• The bill limits the federal government's emergency authority to keep fossil fuel power plants running past their planned retirement. Plants can only be kept open if no other option exists to meet the emergency and the local grid operator requests the delay in writing.
• Before issuing or renewing an emergency order, the government must consider alternatives that minimize environmental harm and hold a public hearing. The Commission must also determine whether the order will raise rates for customers.
• Power companies affected by an emergency order must notify their customers within 60 days, explaining the impacts and any extra costs for fuel, maintenance, capital, or labor that may show up on their bills.
• The bill requires a public online docket for all emergency orders, including reports analyzing what caused the emergency, what alternatives were considered, and how much extra the order will cost utilities and their customers.
• The bill removes the ability for the Commission to act 'without notice, hearing, or report' and removes the vague 'or other causes' language that previously gave broader discretion for emergency orders.