Gottheimer proposes legislation to prolong federal energy infrastructure funding

U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer has put forward a bill designed to prolong federal support for energy infrastructure reinvestment and bolster reliable electric generation in emergency situations, according to the U.S. Congress.

H.R.8262, submitted on April 14, 2026, during the 2026 regular session of the 119th Congress, is outlined below based on the official bill text and supported by explanatory interpretation of its content.

The proposed legislation would revise the Energy Policy Act of 2005 by extending both funding and commitment authority for energy infrastructure reinvestment financing, shifting the cut-off date from 2028 to 2032. The Secretary of Energy would be directed to invite loan guarantee requests for projects necessary to generate electric power during emergencies, in line with directives under section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act. The measure also provides that a minimum of $20 billion in loan guarantees be set aside for such emergency generation projects. Within a year of the law’s passage, a report to Congress would be required on guaranteed projects, additional electric capacity provided, and options for boosting investments in updating older coal facilities.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (Democrat-NJ-5th District) introduced the bill, while Rep. Michael Lawler (Republican-NJ-17th District) serves as co-sponsor.

To date this session, Gottheimer has sponsored 63 other bills.

Congressional bills may be initiated in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, except those involving revenue, which are required to start in the House. Once introduced, bills proceed to committees for detailed examination, hearings, amendments and discussions before they may be taken up for a vote in both chambers. When identical versions clear both chambers, the bill moves to the president for approval or veto. Each congressional term lasts two years, numbered consecutively and split into two sessions. The U.S. Congress oversees the legislative process and disseminates official records on Congress.gov.

Josh S. Gottheimer has represented New Jersey in Congress as a Democrat since being elected to the One Hundred Fifteenth and each of the four subsequent Congresses, with service starting on January 3, 2017. He received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1997 and his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2004.

Information in this article was obtained from the U.S. Congress. The source data can be found here.