119-HR4603

Bill is currently in: House
Path to Law
House Senate President

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4603

1. Short title
2. Prohibition on approval of certain rates under PURPA

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the "Fair, Affordable and Inclusive Rates Act" or the "FAIR Act".

2. Prohibition on approval of certain rates under PURPA

Section 111(d) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2621) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(22) Diversity, Equity, or Inclusion (DEI) practice - No State regulatory authority shall approve the rate of a State regulated electric utility if such State regulated electric utility engages in, or retains or employs a consultant or an advisor to promote or enforce, a diversity, equity, or inclusion practice, such as a practice—

(A) - discriminating for or against any person on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, biological sex, or national origin; or

(B) - requiring, as a condition of employment, promotion, advancement, or the ability to speak, make presentations, or submit written materials, that an employee—

(i) - undergo training, education, coursework, or other pedagogy asserting that any particular race, color, ethnicity, religion, biological sex, or national origin is inherently or systemically superior or inferior, oppressive or oppressed, or privileged or unprivileged; or

(ii) - sign or assent to any statement, code of conduct, work program, plan, or similar device that asserts that any particular race, color, ethnicity, religion, biological sex, or national origin is inherently or systemically superior or inferior, oppressive or oppressed, or privileged or unprivileged.

(23) Environmental, social, or governance (ESG) factors -

(A) In general - Subject to subparagraph (B), no State regulatory authority shall approve the rate of a State regulated electric utility if such State regulated electric utility considers environmental, social, or governance factors in establishing rates or making operational decisions that affect rates.

(B) Compliance - Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit a State regulated electric utility from complying with—

(i) - a Federal law or regulation requiring specific ESG factors if complying with such Federal law or regulation—

(I) - is limited to fulfilling the direct legal obligation of such Federal law or regulation; and

(II) - does not involve discretionary consideration of ESG factors beyond such direct legal obligation; or

(ii) - a State law or regulation that require such State regulated electric utility to purchase from certain types of generation sources if complying with such State law or regulation—

(I) - is limited to fulfilling the direct legal obligation; and

(II) - does not involve discretionary consideration of ESG factors beyond such obligation.

(C) Environmental, social, or governance factor or ESG factor defined - The term "environmental, social, or governance factor" or "ESG factor" means any factor relating to—

(i) - environmental considerations, including climate change policies, carbon emissions reductions, or environmental justice initiatives, unless directly tied to pecuniary impacts such as cost reduction, reliability enhancement, or compliance with Federal or State law or regulation;

(ii) - social considerations, including—

(I) - corporate board or workforce composition quotas based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, or national origin; or

(II) - supplier diversity programs that grant preferences based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, or national origin, unless such programs are required by applicable Federal or State law; or

(iii) - governance considerations, including the adoption of corporate governance policies primarily for the purpose of advancing political, ideological, or social objectives unrelated to pecuniary outcomes relevant to State regulated electric utility operations, customer service, or ratepayer cost impacts.