E-Access Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (26 Feb 2026): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
What this bill does
The E-Access Act, introduced by Senator Peter Welch with co-sponsor Senator Van Hollen, aims to give consumers and businesses easier, standardized access to their own electric and natural gas usage data, and to encourage competition among companies that develop digital tools for managing energy consumption. The bill directs the Department of Energy and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to jointly develop, within 180 days of enactment, model guidelines for how utilities should share detailed billing, usage, and meter data with consumers or third parties the consumer authorizes. These guidelines would address data formats, timeliness, privacy protections, consumer consent, and fair treatment of third-party software developers seeking access to “electric meter software platforms.” The bill also amends federal energy conservation law to make state programs promoting such consumer data access and digital energy tools eligible for existing state energy planning support.
The bill primarily affects electric and gas utilities, state energy offices and regulators, consumers, and companies offering energy-management technology or demand-response services. States that adopt data-access policies meeting the new federal guidelines could receive federal assistance, funded through a $10 million authorization for fiscal year 2026. The bill also requires DOE and FERC to report to Congress within one year on the costs and benefits of using individualized electric meter data for wholesale electricity market settlement.
The bill was introduced on February 26, 2026, and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. It has not yet received committee action, floor votes, or become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
26 Feb 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Common questions
- What does S. 3926 do?
- The E-Access Act, introduced by Senator Peter Welch with co-sponsor Senator Van Hollen, aims to give consumers and businesses easier, standardized access to their own electric and natural gas usage data, and to encourage competition among companies that develop digital tools for managing energy consumption. The bill directs the Department of Energy and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to jointly develop, within 180 days of enactment, model guidelines for how utilities should share detailed billing, usage, and meter data with consumers or third parties the consumer authorizes. These guidelines would address data formats, timeliness, privacy protections, consumer consent, and fair treatment of third-party software developers seeking access to “electric meter software platforms.” The bill also amends federal energy conservation law to make state programs promoting such consumer data access and digital energy tools eligible for existing state energy planning support. The bill primarily affects electric and gas utilities, state energy offices and regulators, consumers, and companies offering energy-management technology or demand-response services. States that adopt data-access policies meeting the new federal guidelines could receive federal assistance, funded through a $10 million authorization for fiscal year 2026. The bill also requires DOE and FERC to report to Congress within one year on the costs and benefits of using individualized electric meter data for wholesale electricity market settlement. The bill was introduced on February 26, 2026, and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. It has not yet received committee action, floor votes, or become law.
- Has S. 3926 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 3926. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 3926?
- S. 3926 was sponsored by Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT] (D-VT), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 3926?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (26 Feb 2026).
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