Powering Productivity Act

Bill Number

H.R. 7606

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Energy

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-20: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-02-25T17:29:24Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Powering Productivity Act aims to enhance the United States' energy performance, transparency, and decision-making by updating how the country measures and tracks energy productivity—the efficiency of using energy to create economic or societal value—and its broader effects, such as on the environment and economy.

Key Provisions

• National Energy Productivity Baseline: Within 18 months of enactment, the Secretary of Energy, working with an advisory task force, must publish a detailed starting point assessment. This includes:
• A framework for measuring energy productivity at national, regional, and sector levels (e.g., relating energy use to economic output or societal benefits).
• An evaluation of current performance.
• Identification of obstacles to better energy use across industries.
• Suggestions for improvements via technology, policies, behaviors, or system changes.

• Quarterly Energy Productivity Reports: Starting after the baseline is set, the Energy Information Administration (EIA, a federal agency that collects and analyzes energy data) must release a quarterly report called the "Energy Productivity Indicators Quarterly" or "Energy Productivity-IQ." This will track energy productivity using economic measures aligned with labor productivity reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, which measures worker efficiency), with coordinated release schedules where possible.

• Comprehensive Assessments: Every three years, starting 18 months after enactment, the Secretary of Energy must produce a report using existing federal tools and data. It covers:
• Economic, environmental, health, and societal benefits of faster energy productivity gains compared to a "business as usual" scenario (where current trends continue unchanged).
• Policy options to boost competitiveness, lower energy costs, build resilience (ability to withstand disruptions), and create jobs.
• Effects on well-being, such as reduced pollution, lower energy bills, better public health, less water use, and reduced economic risks.
• Impacts on U.S. industries like manufacturing and services, including risks from inaction (e.g., outdated infrastructure becoming worthless or lost market edge).
• Recommendations for federal policies, programs, and research.
• Lifecycle considerations (full impacts from energy production to use), including effects on water, health (e.g., pollution exposure), materials, emissions, and jobs.

• Energy Productivity Task Force: Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary of Energy must create this advisory group, led by the Secretary. It includes:
• Representatives from federal agencies like the Departments of Energy, Commerce, and Health and Human Services; the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); EIA; Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; U.S. Geological Survey; and Office of Science and Technology Policy.
• Independent experts from industries (e.g., electric power, renewables, fossil fuels, energy-intensive manufacturing), consumer groups, environmental organizations, academia, national labs, and the National Academies.
• The task force advises on the baseline and assessments but ends after three years.

• Definitions: Clarifies terms like "energy productivity" (efficiency in using energy for economic value) and "Task Force."

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces new federal requirements not previously mandated in U.S. energy law. It adds mandatory assessments, quarterly reporting, and a temporary advisory task force to the Department of Energy's (DOE) responsibilities, building on existing data systems from EIA and BLS without altering core energy regulations. It expands focus from traditional energy metrics (e.g., consumption) to productivity and competitiveness, integrating environmental and health factors more explicitly.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Increases workload for DOE (leading assessments and task force), EIA (quarterly reports), and coordinating agencies like BLS and EPA, potentially requiring more resources for data collection and analysis. This could lead to better-informed federal energy policies.

• Citizens: Provides public access to clearer data on energy efficiency, which may support policies reducing household energy costs, pollution-related health issues, and water use. It could indirectly promote job growth in efficient technologies and industries.

• International Relations: Enhances U.S. economic competitiveness in global markets (e.g., manufacturing exports) by addressing energy risks, potentially strengthening trade positions without direct foreign policy changes.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Government: DOE, EIA, EPA, BLS, and other listed agencies (for implementation and coordination).
• Industries: Energy sectors (renewables, fossil fuels, electric power), manufacturing, and other energy-heavy businesses (for assessments of barriers and opportunities).
• Citizens and Advocacy Groups: Consumers, environmental organizations, and public health advocates (benefiting from transparency and potential cost/health improvements).
• Researchers and Experts: Academia, national labs, and the National Academies (involved in task force and data-driven recommendations).
• Broader Economy: Regions and sectors reliant on energy, such as industrial areas, which could see gains in resilience and competitiveness.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Relies on existing federal authorities (e.g., DOE's energy analysis role under the Department of Energy Organization Act) without new enforcement powers or penalties. The task force is advisory and time-limited, complying with federal advisory committee rules (e.g., termination after three years per U.S. Code).

• Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it supports Congress's commerce clause powers over interstate energy and economic matters, promoting general welfare through data and policy insights.

• Political: Emphasizes bipartisan goals like economic growth, job creation, and competitiveness, while incorporating environmental and health angles that could appeal across ideologies. It avoids mandates on private actors, focusing on federal study and recommendations, which may reduce controversy but limit immediate action.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-20: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2026-02-20: Introduced in House
• 2026-02-20: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Powering Productivity Act — issued 2026-02-20 — PDF (8 pages)