STOP RGGI Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7991
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-18: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-02T18:12:03Z
AI-Generated Summary
H.R. 7991: Stop Taxing Our Power Act (STOP RGGI Act)
Purpose
To prevent states from collecting fees or charges specifically to fund the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Energy Efficiency Program, a multi-state effort to reduce power plant emissions through a cap-and-trade system where auction proceeds support energy-saving initiatives.
Key Provisions
- Prohibition on state charges: No state may impose any "charge" (such as fees, taxes, or costs passed through utilities) explicitly for funding the RGGI Energy Efficiency Program.
- Short title: "Stop Taxing Our Power Act" or "STOP RGGI Act".
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a federal preemption over state actions, overriding states' current ability to use charges (often embedded in electricity bills) to finance RGGI's energy efficiency efforts.
- Does not affect RGGI's core cap-and-trade mechanism or other uses of auction proceeds, only the specific funding for the Energy Efficiency Program.
Potential Impacts
- Citizens: Could lower electricity bills for consumers in RGGI states by eliminating related charges, potentially saving households money.
- Government agencies: RGGI-participating states (e.g., Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont) may lose funding for energy efficiency projects, forcing budget reallocations or program cuts.
- No direct international relations impact.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- States in RGGI: Lose authority and revenue for efficiency programs.
- Electricity consumers and utilities: Potential bill reductions but possible shifts in funding energy initiatives elsewhere.
- Environmental and energy efficiency advocates: Reduced support for programs aimed at cutting emissions and promoting conservation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Federalism concerns: Raises questions about Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause to restrict state revenue-raising for regional environmental programs.
- Limited scope: Targets only one RGGI funding stream, leaving broader cap-and-trade intact unless challenged.
- Political context: Positions as a measure to reduce energy costs, potentially influencing debates on state-led climate policies versus federal oversight.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-18: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-03-18: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-18: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Stop Taxing Our Power Act — issued 2026-03-18 — PDF (2 pages)