RATES Act of 2026

What it does

• •Authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to condition acceptance of public utility rate filings under Federal Power Act Section 205 on modifications that FERC specifies when filings do not meet applicable standards.
• •Requires utilities to either accept FERC's proposed modifications and refile within 20 days, or withdraw their filing.
• •Establishes a 45-day review period for FERC to assess modified filings for consistency with specified changes, with authority to request further revisions.
• •Provides that if a utility does not respond or refuses modifications, the filing is automatically deemed withdrawn without penalty to the utility.

Why it matters

• •Creates a structured process for FERC to address deficient utility rate filings without outright rejection, potentially streamlining dispute resolution over energy rates.
• •Preserves the original filing's effective date if modifications are accepted and approved, protecting utilities' interests in timing while allowing FERC oversight.
• •Establishes clear timelines and procedural requirements for both FERC and utilities, reducing ambiguity in the regulatory process for rate schedule submissions.

Who is affected

• •Public utilities filing rate schedules and other documents under Federal Power Act Section 205.
• •The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which gains explicit authority to condition acceptance on specified modifications.
• •Consumers and the energy market, indirectly affected by changes to utility rate structures and regulatory timelines.

What happens next

The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on November 12, 2026, and would require committee consideration and floor action before advancing.