S. 4351 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Apr 21, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryStrengthens rules against energy market manipulation
This bill gives the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission—the agency that oversees the nation's electricity and natural gas markets—stronger tools to stop price manipulation. It would let the commission ban traders from these markets if they violate federal law by manipulating prices or filing false information.
How it affects you
If you buy electricity or natural gas, this could help protect you from artificially inflated prices caused by market manipulation. Traders and companies engaged in energy markets would face stricter consequences if caught manipulating prices or submitting false data.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Apr 21, 2026)
Energy Consumer Protection Act of 2026
This bill expands enforcement provisions under the Federal Power Act and the Natural Gas Act to protect consumers from price manipulation, including by allowing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to temporarily or permanently ban any person from trading in energy markets if the person (1) violates those acts by manipulating the electricity or natural gas markets, or (2) files false information regarding those markets.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
2nd SessionS. 4351
A BILL
Energy Consumer Protection Act of 2026
Sponsor: Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) · Introduced Apr 21, 2026 · Energy · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Apr 21, 2026: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.”