Energy Choice Act
The Energy Choice Act would bar states and local governments (including their agencies and instrumentalities) from enacting laws, regulations, ordinances, building codes, standards, or policies that prohibit or limit the connection, reconnection, modification, installation, transportation, distribution, expansion, or access to an energy service based on the energy type or energy source to be delivered to end users. In other words, it would prevent local or state rules that discriminate against or restrict energy services because of the fuel or energy source used. The bill defines “energy” to include electricity plus a broad list of fuels (natural gas, renewable natural gas, hydrogen, liquified petroleum gas, renewable LPG, other liquid petroleum products, biomass-based diesel fuels and renewable fuels).
Key Points
- 1Prohibits state or local laws, regulations, ordinances, building codes, or policies that prohibit or limit energy connections or expansion based on the energy type/source sold in interstate commerce to end users.
- 2Applies to the full range of energy-service actions: connection, reconnection, modification, installation, transportation, distribution, expansion, or access.
- 3Expands the definition of energy to include electricity and multiple fuel types (natural gas, renewable natural gas, hydrogen, LPG and renewable LPG, other liquid petroleum products, biomass-based diesel fuels, renewable fuels).
- 4Establishes nationwide preemption of local energy-choice restrictions, limiting the ability of localities to bar or restrict certain energy sources for delivered services.
- 5The provided text does not specify penalties or enforcement mechanisms.