February 11, 2026
Mr. Cotton introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
To protect the reliability of the electric grid by preempting certain State climate mandates, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Ratepayer Affordability and Transparency in Energy Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Purpose
The purpose of this Act is to safeguard the reliability of the electric grid by preempting State climate mandates, including renewable portfolio standards, that obstruct or distort energy infrastructure planning, inflate electricity costs, or otherwise imperil grid reliability.
Sec. 3. Definitions
In this Act:
(1) State law
The term State law includes any constitution, statute, regulation, rule, ordinance, charter, order, or other authority of—
(A)
a State; or
(B)
any political subdivision of a State.
(2) State
The term State means—
(A)
a State;
(B)
the District of Columbia;
(C)
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and
(D)
any other territory or possession of the United States.
Sec. 4. Preemption of certain climate mandates
(a) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no State, political subdivision of a State, or regulatory authority may establish, enforce, or continue in effect any requirement, standard, mandate, or program that—
(1)
requires electricity generation, retail electricity sales, or electricity procurement to include a specified percentage or quantity of electricity derived from renewable, zero-emission, or carbon-free energy resources; or
(2)
conditions participation in wholesale or retail electricity markets, cost recovery, or utility regulation on compliance with a requirement described in paragraph (1).
(b) Voidness of inconsistent laws
Any State law or other requirement that is inconsistent with subsection (a) is hereby preempted and shall have no force or effect.
(c) Savings provision
Nothing in this section prohibits a State, political subdivision of a State, or regulatory authority, as applicable, from owning or operating generation facilities that use renewable, zero-emission, or carbon-free energy resources.