A bill to protect the reliability of the electric grid by preempting certain State climate mandates, and for other purposes.

S. 3839 is a Senate bill introduced by Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) that would establish federal protections for the reliability of the electric grid by limiting the ability of states to impose climate-related mandates. The bill aims to preempt certain state-level climate policies that could affect how the electric grid operates and is maintained.

If enacted, this legislation would restrict states' authority to implement climate mandates that the bill's sponsors believe could compromise grid reliability. The practical effect would be to shift some regulatory authority from state governments to the federal level regarding energy and climate policies that impact electricity infrastructure. Citizens in states with existing or planned climate mandates could see changes to how those policies are implemented, particularly regarding power generation and grid management.

The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process, having been introduced in February 2026 and referred to committee. It has not yet been voted on by the full Senate, so its ultimate fate remains uncertain.