S. 5028 aims to amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 by establishing a federal standard that allows utilities to recover the full incremental costs associated with infrastructure upgrades needed to serve large-load customers, such as large industrial or commercial users. This could potentially incentivize utilities to invest in necessary upgrades and ensure that the costs of these upgrades are fully covered.
Supporters of S. 5028 argue that the bill will promote economic growth by encouraging utility companies to invest in infrastructure that supports large-load customers. This could lead to job creation and increased competitiveness for U.S. industries, as well as more reliable energy services for businesses that require significant power.
Critics of S. 5028 express concern that the bill may lead to higher utility rates for residential and smaller commercial customers. They argue that allowing utilities to recover full costs for upgrades could shift financial burdens onto average consumers, potentially exacerbating issues of energy affordability and equity.
The analysis of bill S. 5028, which aims to amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, reveals no direct industry overlaps between the sponsor Jon Husted's top donor industries and the subject matter of the bill. The lobbying activity in this policy area includes significant contributions from various organizations, but none appear to directly influence the bill's focus on utility cost recovery for large-load customers. The largest lobbying expenditure comes from the American Dental Association at $1,100,000, which does not align with the utility sector. Overall, the absence of direct donor connections to the bill's subject suggests a low risk of conflict of interest.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION | AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION | $1,100,000 |
| CELLEBRITE INC. | CELLEBRITE INC. | $70,000 |
| ANIMAL HEALTH INSTITUTE | ANIMAL HEALTH INSTITUTE | $55,000 |
| SAFE KIDS WORLDWIDE | SAFE KIDS WORLDWIDE | $25,000 |
| AMERICAN CONCRETE PIPE ASSOCIATION | EDMUND GRABER | $20,000 |
| MATERIALS RESEARCH SOCIETY | HILLSTAFFER, LLC | $15,000 |
| NAFA FLEET MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION | HILLSTAFFER, LLC | $15,000 |
| BETTENDORF IA | EDMUND GRABER | $10,000 |
| NATIONAL UTILITY CONTRACTORS ASSN | EDMUND GRABER | $10,000 |
| ILLINOIS PUBLIC TRANSIT ASSN | EDMUND GRABER | $10,000 |
| NATIONAL COOPERATIVE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION | NATIONAL COOPERATIVE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION | undisclosed |
| FMC CORPORATION | RED FLAG CONSULTING USA(FORMALLY KNOWN AS INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS-GOVERNMENT COUNSELLORS, INC) | undisclosed |
| ASSOCIATION FOR DIPLOMATIC STUDIES AND TRAINING | HILLSTAFFER, LLC | undisclosed |
| NATIONAL ACADEMY OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGY | HILLSTAFFER, LLC | undisclosed |
| THE ETHYLENE OXIDE STERILIZATION ASSOCIATION, INC | HILLSTAFFER, LLC | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Jon Husted, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
