Energy Choice Act

The Energy Choice Act would bar States and local governments from enacting laws or rules that prohibit or restrict how energy services are connected, installed, transported, or expanded based on the type or source of energy. The bill defines “energy” to include natural gas, renewable natural gas, hydrogen, liquefied petroleum gas (and renewable LPG), other liquid petroleum products, biomass-based diesel and renewable fuels, and electricity. In practice, this means localities could not ban or limit, for example, gas pipeline connections, hydrogen infrastructure, or other energy delivery options simply because of the fuel type used. The intent appears to be to preserve or expand consumer energy choice across state lines by preventing local energy- or fuel-based restrictions, potentially affecting local climate or environmental policies and infrastructure planning. The text provided does not include penalties, enforcement mechanisms, or a process for disputing local restrictions beyond the general prohibition. It focuses narrowly on prohibiting certain local and state-level prohibitions or limitations on energy service delivery tied to energy type or source.