WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congress is set to consider new legislation aimed at limiting the influence of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in utility rate-setting decisions.
The Freedom Against Ideological Rates (FAIR) Act (H.R. 4603), introduced by Rep. John McGuire of Virginia and authored by the Christian Employers Alliance (CEA), would bar state regulators from approving electric utility rates for companies that incorporate certain DEI or ESG practices into their operations.
CEA President Margaret Iuculano said the bill is designed to “ensure a fair playing field for all energy consumers” and to keep utilities focused on delivering safe, reliable, and affordable power rather than advancing political agendas. “Utilities should deliver power, not political agendas, and utility rates and safety should not be contingent on DEI or ESG factors,” she said.
The legislation stems from CEA’s Center for Biblical Business, which supports policy and litigation efforts on behalf of Christian-led companies. Iuculano pointed to last year’s million-acre Smokehouse Creek Fire in Texas — which state investigators linked to equipment operated by Xcel Energy — as an example of what she described as misplaced priorities.
“This use of monopoly power to promote political ideologies has come at the expense of reliability, affordability, and public safety,” Iuculano said, adding that some communities, such as Slayton, Minnesota, are already exploring alternatives like municipal utilities.
The CEA is urging lawmakers, regulators, and the public to press for greater transparency and accountability in the energy sector. “Accountability is needed,” Iuculano said. “The FAIR Act will ensure Christian employers and the communities they serve aren’t punished for staying true to their convictions.”
The Christian Employers Alliance represents faith-based business leaders nationwide, advocating for policies that protect religious freedom and promote biblical principles in the workplace.
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