H.R.359 - Cost-Share Accountability Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 359, the Cost-Share Accountability Act of 2025, aims to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The amendment focuses on requiring the Secretary of Energy to report on the use of authority to reduce or eliminate cost-sharing requirements for certain projects. This report will be submitted quarterly to specific committees in both the House and Senate and made publicly available.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill is increased transparency and oversight regarding the Department of Energy's decisions to reduce or eliminate cost-sharing requirements. This could lead to greater accountability in how taxpayer money is used for energy projects. The public will have access to information about these decisions.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in the Department of Energy's cost-sharing decisions.
- Enhanced oversight by Congress through regular reporting.
- Potential for more informed public discourse on energy policy.
- Greater accountability for the use of taxpayer funds.
- May lead to more efficient allocation of resources in energy projects.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased administrative burden on the Department of Energy.
- The reporting requirements may not significantly alter the Department's decision-making process.
- Public availability of reports could lead to political scrutiny and potential delays in project implementation.
- The act itself does not address the underlying reasons for cost-share reductions, only the reporting of them.
- There may be some costs associated with creating and disseminating the required reports.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the constitutional principle of legislative oversight, as it mandates reporting to Congress. Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution vests all legislative powers in Congress, including the power to oversee the executive branch. The reporting requirements ensure that Congress can monitor the Department of Energy's implementation of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).