PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.

A bill to amend the Department of Energy Authorization Act to authorize the Secretary of Energy to impose interim limitations on the cost of electric energy to protect consumers from unjust and unreasonable prices in the electric energy market.

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 107-49.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 22, 2001

Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to direct the Secretary of Energy to impose an interim regional price limitation, or cost-of-service based rate, upon sales of electric energy at wholesale rate in interstate commerce subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) whenever: (1) FERC determines that the pertinent rate, charge, or classification is unduly preferential, unjust, or unreasonable, or the Secretary determines that it exceeds significantly the marginal cost of electric energy production; and (2) the continued existence of such rate, charge, or classification threatens public health and safety or regional economy, and FERC has otherwise failed to act to improve the situation.Authorizes the Governor of any State within such affected region to waive application of the price limitation.Exempts from the interim price limitations of this Act sales of electric energy generated by certain small power production or cogeneration facilities under the purview of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] · D–CA

Committees

  • Energy and Natural Resources Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 107-49.

  2. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

  3. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S298)

  4. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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