Protecting American Energy from State Overreach Codification Act
Summary
H.R. 4629, the "Protecting American Energy from State Overreach Codification Act," seeks to codify Executive Order 14260 into law. This executive order relates to protecting American energy from state overreach. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on July 23, 2025, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would give Executive Order 14260 the full force and effect of law, preventing states from enacting policies that the federal government deems to be overreach in the energy sector. This could lead to preemption of state laws and regulations related to energy production and distribution. The practical impact would depend on the specific provisions of Executive Order 14260.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially streamlines energy production by reducing conflicting state regulations.
- Could lead to increased energy security by ensuring consistent energy policies across states.
- May foster a more stable investment climate for energy companies.
- Could lower energy costs for consumers if it promotes more efficient energy production.
- Could promote national energy goals by overriding conflicting state policies.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could undermine states' rights to regulate energy within their borders.
- May lead to environmental damage if state environmental regulations are preempted.
- Could stifle innovation in state-level energy policies.
- May disproportionately impact states with strong environmental protections.
- Could reduce public input into energy policy decisions at the state level.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality hinges on the scope of federal power under the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) and the Supremacy Clause (Article VI, Clause 2). Congress has broad authority to regulate interstate commerce, which includes energy production and distribution. However, the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, potentially raising federalism concerns if the codification unduly infringes on state sovereignty. The specific provisions of Executive Order 14260 would need to be examined to determine the extent of any constitutional conflict.
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).