hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Prohibits importing specific Chinese energy storage systems for grid security.
Introduced by Mr. Steube in the House of Representatives.
Introduced in the House, no votes yet.
This bill, called the "CHARGE Act," would prevent the U.S. from importing energy storage systems with remote monitoring capabilities if they are manufactured by entities connected to the People's Republic of China or the Chinese Communist Party. It was introduced by Representative W. Greg Steube, who serves on various House committees. Its current status means it's been formally proposed and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means, but has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House.
Introduced Feb 20, 2026
This bill is currently in the 'Introduced' stage. It has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. For it to move forward, the committee would typically review it, potentially amend it, and then vote on whether to send it to the full House for consideration. If passed by the House, it would then go to the Senate for their review and vote before potentially becoming law.
If this bill becomes law, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency would create new rules to stop specific energy storage systems made in China from entering the country, aiming to boost the security of the national energy grid. This could mean fewer such products available, or a shift to different suppliers for large-scale energy projects. Additionally, the government would be required to produce annual reports for six years, detailing the presence of these Chinese-developed systems in the U.S. and potentially leading to further import restrictions.
Supporters Say
Proponents argue this is essential for national security, preventing foreign entities from infiltrating the U.S. energy grid.
Critics Say
The bill text itself does not present specific counterarguments or criticisms.
The bill's findings section explicitly states that the People's Republic of China poses a risk to the U.S. energy grid through remote monitoring capabilities in energy storage systems. Therefore, supporters of the bill believe these import restrictions are necessary to protect critical infrastructure and safeguard the American people from potential interference.