S. 4772

119 S4772 IS: Renewable Energy Choice Act
 U.S. Senate
 2026-06-11
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 EN
 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
 II  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  S. 4772  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES   June 11, 2026   Mr. Merkley  introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the  Committee on Energy and Natural Resources    A BILL
To prohibit States and local governments from prohibiting or limiting the connection, reconnection, modification, installation, transportation, distribution, or expansion of a renewable energy service based on the type or source of energy to be delivered, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Renewable Energy Choice Act  .
2.
Definition of renewable energy
In this Act, the term  renewable energy  includes—
(1)
wind;
(2)
solar;
(3)
energy storage; and
(4)
geothermal.
3.
Limitation on regulation of renewable energy choice
A State or local government, including any instrumentality or regulatory agency of a State or local government, may not adopt, implement, or enforce a law, regulation, ordinance, building code, standard, or policy that prohibits or limits, or has the effect of directly or indirectly prohibiting or limiting, the connection, reconnection, modification, installation, transportation, distribution, or expansion of, or access to, an energy service based on the type or source of renewable energy sold in interstate commerce to be delivered to an end-user of that energy service, including by—
(1)
permanently banning renewable energy projects;
(2)
executing a moratorium on renewable energy projects for a period greater than 6 months, including any extensions;
(3)
limiting project height to less than 525 feet;
(4)
creating a setback requirement greater than 1,000 feet;
(5)
setting a sound limit below 50 decibels;
(6)
refusing to enter into a road use agreement; or
(7)
charging a permitting fee the cost of which deviates from the average fee imposed on other energy projects of similar capacity.