Two House Democrats on Wednesday introduced a bill aimed at addressing rising utility costs, adding to a growing list of proposals meant to tackle affordability as party members home in on an energy message heading into this year’s midterm elections.
The “Lowering Utility Bills Act,” introduced by Reps. Greg Casar (D-Texas) and Josh Riley (D-N.Y.), would close what critics call loopholes allowing for-profit utilities to claim higher returns on investment than they are owed, according to a summary of the bill.
“A lack of clear federal standards for calculating ‘just and reasonable’ returns and what costs [investor-owned utilities] can pass to customers has led to runaway cost increases,” Casar’s office said.
Casar said Wednesday that the legislation is on a list of “priority bills” for the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which he chairs. Earlier the same day, he and the caucus laid out 10 bills aimed at lowering costs as part of a “New Affordability Agenda.” His utility bill is part of that list.
