S. 4352: Fair and Transparent Gas Prices Act of 2026

This bill, known as the Fair and Transparent Gas Prices Act of 2026, aims to address consumer concerns about oil and gas pricing by requiring the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to conduct a comprehensive study on the practices and behaviors of oil and gas companies. The key components of the bill are as follows:

Study Requirements

The FTC will investigate various aspects related to oil and gas pricing, with a particular focus on:

• Anti-competitive Practices: Analyzing whether oil and gas companies engage in anti-competitive or collusive behaviors that may negatively affect pricing.
• Financial Conduct: Examining if companies are using their financial resources in ways that don't contribute to increasing fuel supply, including actions like reducing investments in fuel production.
• Impact on Prices: Assessing whether certain corporate behaviors result in inflated consumer prices, delays in fuel supply, or limit alternative fuels and technologies.

Reporting Mandates

Following the study, the FTC is required to submit a report to Congress within one year of the bill's enactment, with subsequent annual reports for two additional years. This report will include:

• The findings of the study.
• Recommendations for legislative or administrative actions to promote fair and competitive pricing.

Committee Involvement

The reports will be submitted to various congressional committees that oversee commerce, energy, and appropriations.

Resources for the FTC

To effectively carry out this study, the FTC is authorized to hire up to 50 additional personnel and will be allocated $15 million for each of the fiscal years 2027 and 2028 to support these efforts.

Limitations

The bill specifies that certain regulations, such as those under the Paperwork Reduction Act, will not apply to the information collection required by this study.

Relevant Companies

• XOM - ExxonMobil: As a major oil and gas company, ExxonMobil could face scrutiny regarding its pricing practices and investment decisions.
• CVX - Chevron: Similar to ExxonMobil, Chevron may be impacted by investigations into its market conduct and pricing strategies.
• BP - BP plc: BP could be affected by the study's findings if its practices are deemed anti-competitive or if they contribute to higher consumer prices.
• CTRA - Coterra Energy: Coterra may be included in the investigation if they are found to engage in practices that impact fuel pricing.