Energy Department must now disclose cost-share waivers quarterly
H.R. 359 — Cost-Share Accountability Act of 2025 · Filed by Jay Obernolte (R-CA) · 1 cosponsor · Introduced Jan 13, 2025 · Passed chamber
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What it does
This bill requires the Department of Energy to report quarterly to Congress and the public on how often it uses its authority to reduce or waive cost-sharing requirements for energy projects. Cost-sharing normally requires project partners to contribute funds; the bill creates transparency around when and why the Department forgoes those contributions.
Why we flagged it
The bill's sole operative mechanism is a reporting requirement designed to expose Department of Energy discretion in waiving cost-sharing obligations. It creates no new authority, no spending, and no exemptions—only visibility into existing discretionary power.
What the text implies
- Quarterly reporting may reveal patterns of cost-share waivers that could prompt legislative action to restrict or condition the Department's discretion.
- Public disclosure of waiver decisions may deter the Department from exercising the authority in cases where the rationale would not withstand public scrutiny.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who it affects
The bill creates a transparency mechanism that allows Congress and the public to monitor how the Department of Energy exercises discretionary authority to waive cost-sharing. This increases accountability for federal spending and reduces the risk of hidden subsidies or favoritism in energy project funding.