Rep. Casten introduces House bill to boost energy productivity and create federal task force

A bill authored by Rep. Sean Casten and introduced in the U.S. House is designed to raise national energy productivity through detailed assessments and better metrics visibility, the U.S. Congress reports.

H.R.7606 entered the legislative process Feb. 20, 2026, during the 2026 session of the 119th Congress. The following summary draws on the primary bill text and includes clarifications to help explain its details.

Broadly, the measure seeks to strengthen the United States’ energy productivity by establishing national assessments and supporting more comprehensive measurement and disclosure of energy use. Under the bill, the Secretary of Energy would be responsible for establishing a national energy productivity baseline within 18 months of enactment, which includes analysis of performance trends and obstacles. Regular "Energy Productivity Indicators Quarterly" reports would be required, designed to match labor productivity tracking. In addition, a comprehensive assessment compiled every three years would study how improved energy productivity affects economic sectors. The bill also calls for the formation of an Energy Productivity Task Force comprising government and independent experts to provide guidance. Once enacted, these directives are to take immediate effect.

Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL-6th District) launched the bill with co-sponsorship from Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-IL-5th District) and Rep. Kathy Castor (D-IL-14th District).

Since the current session began, Casten has introduced 34 other bills.

Bills in Congress may start in either the U.S. House or Senate, with the exception of those related to revenue, which must begin in the House. Legislation proceeds through assignment to committee for examination, hearings, amendments and debate before a vote by both chambers. If the House and Senate pass the same version, it is sent to the president for a signature or veto. Each Congress is numbered sequentially and sits for a two-year term, divided into annual sessions. Congress maintains bill records and legislative details on Congress.gov.

Rep. Sean Casten represents Illinois and was elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Sixteenth and three subsequent Congresses, with a tenure starting January 3, 2019. He holds a B.A. from Middlebury College and both an M.S. and M.E.M. from Dartmouth College.