Bicameral bill would help homeowners make energy efficiency, clean energy upgrades
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, joined U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and U.S. Representatives Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15) and Mike Levin (D-CA-49) in introducing the E-Access Act of 2026, bicameral legislation to promote energy efficiency and help consumers save money by improving access to their energy consumption data.
“Energy usage data is an important tool that families and businesses can use to improve their efficiency and lower their utility bills. But it’s too difficult for many Americans to access that data,” said Senator Welch. “We’re working to make it easier for consumers to make informed choices that will help lower their energy bills and speed our transition to an energy-efficient economy.”
“Home efficiency upgrades can help Americans save energy and lower their bills, but right now it’s hard for homeowners to calculate exactly how much they can save. This legislation makes energy data more accessible to consumers so they can get a full picture of their potential savings from making their homes more energy efficient,” said Senator Van Hollen.
“As American families face rising utility bills, it’s critical that consumers have the ability to see their own energy data and take advantage of demand-response programs that save money for households and businesses,” said Rep. Mullin. “I’m proud to co-lead the E-Access Act, which would unlock access to energy consumption data and help households across America save hundreds of millions of dollars on utility costs each year.”
“When families and small businesses can see exactly how and when they’re using energy, they’re empowered to make informed energy choices and smarter financial decisions,” said Rep. Levin. “Americans deserve transparency and real-time access to their electric and natural gas usage, billing, and pricing data to better inform their budgets. This is just one of the many steps we must take to bring down energy bills. I’m proud to partner with Rep. Mullin and Sen. Welch to lead this effort, and I look forward to working with them to move our commonsense legislation through Congress.”
Over the past two decades, taxpayers and utilities have invested billions of dollars in advanced metering infrastructure to expand access to real-time energy usage and pricing data. However, these benefits remain largely untapped due to the absence of a robust framework that would enable consumers or authorized third parties to access information in a timely and convenient manner. Unlocking this data would empower households and businesses to reduce their energy bills and strengthen grid reliability—saving consumers an estimated $250 million annually through smarter, data-driven energy usage.
At the same time, rising utility costs continue to burden families and small businesses across the United States. Lack of meaningful access to energy usage data makes it even more difficult for consumers to manage monthly bills, adjust usage when energy prices are higher, or take advantage of market-driven tools to help lower costs. New data-sharing guidelines in the E-Access Act would allow consumers to access and share their utility data with third parties, including energy efficiency contractors.
The E-Access Act is supported by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), American Economic Liberties Project, Building Performance Association, Consumer Federation of America, Efficiency Vermont, Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), Honeywell, Institute for Market Transformation, Mission:Data Coalition, National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO), Northeast Energy Efficiency and Electrification Council (NEEEC), Rewiring America, and the U.S. Green Building Council.
“Families and businesses are facing rising energy costs, yet most still cannot access the data that would help them manage their usage and lower their bills. The E‑Access Act empowers American households by giving them secure, real‑time access to their own energy information,” said Alexander Ratner, Senior Federal Policy Counsel, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. “It is a simple, commonsense step that would deliver real savings and expand consumer choice in a rapidly changing energy marketplace.”
“Utilities have been hoarding their customers’ own energy data for years, and they use that information as leverage to keep prices high. The E-Access Act gives power back to American consumers,” said Marissa P. Gillett, former chair of the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, and senior fellow at American Economic Liberties Project. “When customers can actually see and use their own energy data, they can start making real choices that lower their bills and put an end to monopoly utilities using data hoarding to make energy unaffordable.”
“Access to utility data is not only important for grid reliability and technology innovation, but it is also a critical tool in understanding how a particular home uses energy and its saving potential,” said Steve Skodak, President and CEO, Building Performance Association. “Energy usage information can help residential contractors and programs identify cost-effective energy-saving opportunities, measure the performance of specific energy efficiency measures, and drive both consumer behavior changes and improved program design. Empowering American households with secure access to their own digital, interval utility data and the ability to share that data, has the potential to fundamentally change how residential customers use energy.”
“Access to energy data empowers consumers and drives better outcomes for the grid,” said Peter Walke, Managing Director, Efficiency Vermont. “The E‑Access Act will remove unnecessary barriers, enabling efficiency programs, demand response, and clean energy solutions to work as intended while saving people money.”
“Knowing that you don’t know something is very frustrating,” said Daniel Bresette, President, EESI. “Without access to key utility data, consumers can’t make smart decisions that will lower their energy costs. There’s no good reason to keep this data hidden away. This legislation would help remove a critical barrier, unlocking savings for consumers who want to fully invest in energy efficiency but can’t.”
“You can’t manage what you don’t measure. Rapidly rising energy prices are making it harder for Americans to afford to heat and cool our homes. The E-Access Act will give us the information we need to save energy and money,” said Alex Dews, CEO, Institute for Market Transformation (IMT).
“Ratepayers have spent tens of billions of dollars on smart meters, but they have yet to reap the benefits. While utility bills continue to rise, millions of ratepayers are still not able to access competitive energy services such as virtual power plants. E-ACCESS gives states essential resources and expertise to help them confront rising power bills,” said Michael Murray, President, Mission:Data Coalition.
“As a long-time administering energy efficiency services across the country, it is high up on my list of critical actions to make it more efficient and possible to access the information on energy use in homes and buildings to help provide guidance to consumers on how to lower their energy costs. This legislation will help make that possible,” said Steve Cowell, Executive Director, Northeast Energy Efficiency and Electrification Council.
“Too many households are struggling to pay utility bills, and this legislation is something Congress can pass today to provide relief. Data transparency is a critical tool for helping consumers better manage their energy use and lower their bills. Thanks to Sen. Welch and Rep. Mullin for their leadership on this issue and for introducing this legislation, which the U.S. Green Building Council fully supports,” said Ben Evans, Federal Legislative Director, U.S. Green Building Council.
Provisions of the E-Access Act of 2021 were included in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2021 through the HOPE for HOMES program—which Senator Welch led as a member of the House of Representatives.
Learn more about the E-Access Act of 2026.
Read and download the full text of the bill.
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