SCOPE Act of 2026

HR7684, titled the "Standardized Calculation of Operational Polluting Emissions Act of 2026" or the "SCOPE Act of 2026," was introduced in the House on February 25, 2026, and subsequently referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Beyer (D-VA-8) with two cosponsors, is in the early stages of the legislative process. The bill does not authorize or appropriate any specific funding. Instead, it mandates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a study and publish guidance within one year of the Act's enactment. This guidance would focus on calculating and reporting Scope 3 emissions for "direct emitters," defined as facilities subject to specific greenhouse gas reporting requirements under title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, part 98, or other facilities determined appropriate by the Administrator. The guidance would include recommended reporting thresholds, calculation methodologies, monitoring frequency, quality assurance, estimation methods for missing data, and recordkeeping requirements. Companies that are classified as "direct emitters" and currently report greenhouse gas emissions under EPA regulations could face increased administrative burdens and potential compliance costs if this bill were to become law. This includes companies in the energy, manufacturing, and other industrial sectors. While no specific tickers are directly impacted at this early stage, companies like those in the oil and gas ($XOM, $CVX), utilities ($NEE, $WEC), and heavy manufacturing sectors could eventually be affected by new reporting standards. The recent Presidential Memoranda on energy and infrastructure, while stimulating investment, do not directly conflict or amplify the SCOPE Act's regulatory focus on emissions reporting, as the bill primarily addresses data collection and guidance rather than direct emission reduction mandates or infrastructure development. As the bill is in the committee referral stage, the next steps would involve committee consideration, potential hearings, markups, and a vote. If it passes the committee, it would then proceed to a vote by the full House. Given its early stage, the timeline for potential enactment is uncertain.