Rep. Casten unveils House bill for utility shared savings to increase grid efficiency

U.S. Rep. Sean Casten has introduced a bill in the House designed to promote efficient electricity transmission and lower consumer expenses by creating a shared savings structure for utilities, according to the U.S. Congress.

The measure, H.R.7729, was submitted on Feb. 26, 2026, in the 2026 regular session of the 119th Congress. The summary below draws from the actual bill text and provides clarification of several sections.

The bill would revise the Federal Power Act to introduce a shared savings plan for certain transmission utilities, requiring the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to put forth regulations enabling these utilities to claim a portion of proven cost savings generated by specific efficiency improvements. Standardized measures for evaluating baseline activity and cost savings, annual reporting, and procedures for cost recovery are part of the framework. Furthermore, guidance would be issued by the Secretary of Energy for electric utilities outside FERC’s oversight, and a grant program would be established for state regulators to help with development. The intent is to spur grid-enhancing technologies and reduce electricity costs—all within a two-year implementation window from passage.

Rep. Sean Casten (Democrat-IL-6th District) was the measure’s sole sponsor.

With this introduction, Rep. Casten has brought forward a total of 37 bills since the current session began.

Congressional bills may originate in the U.S. House of Representatives or the Senate, except for bills related to revenue, which must be introduced in the House. The process includes committee assignment, review, hearings, possible amendments and debates, followed by a vote in both chambers. When both chambers pass the same bill, it moves to the president for approval or veto. Congress meets in two-year terms, and its activities are available at Congress.gov.

Sean Casten serves as a Representative from Illinois and has been in office since Jan. 3, 2019, following his election as a Democrat to the 116th and three subsequent Congresses. His academic background includes a B.A. from Middlebury College, as well as M.S. and M.E.M. degrees from Dartmouth College.