NHEC Applauds Introduction of Energy Choice Act to Protect Hispanic Families from Rising Energy Costs

Bipartisan Legislation Would Prevent Energy Bans That Disproportionately Harm Hispanic Communities

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Florida – The National Hispanic Energy Council (NHEC), founded to bring a Hispanic voice to the energy policy debate, today applauded the introduction of the Energy Choice Act by Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY) and Sen. Jim Justice (WV).

The bipartisan legislation would prevent states and local governments from prohibiting or limiting access to energy sources, ensuring Hispanic families maintain their freedom to choose affordable, reliable energy options at a time when they already face a 20% higher energy cost burden than the median American family.

“Energy bans are a direct attack on Hispanic families who are already struggling with disproportionately higher energy costs,” said NHEC Chairman Julio Fuentes, who is also president and CEO of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “This critical legislation protects Hispanic entrepreneurs and working families from activist policies that limit energy choices and drive up the costs that power our businesses and heat our homes. Hispanic families deserve affordable and reliable energy, not government mandates that increase their costs.”

“As a former mayor of Cimarron, New Mexico, I’ve seen firsthand how activist groups target small rural communities to advance their energy ban agenda,” said NHEC Vice Chairman Matthew Gonzales, who is also Consumer Energy Alliance’s Southwest Executive Director. “These activists exploit smaller governments that lack the resources to fight back, pushing through policies that serve their ideological goals rather than helping the Hispanic families and working people who actually live in these communities. This legislation protects small towns from being used as pawns in activists’ political games.”

The Energy Choice Act addresses the growing trend of state and local governments implementing bans on natural gas and other affordable energy sources. Hispanic business owners, who start businesses at 3 to 5 times the rate of any other segment of the population, would be particularly impacted by such restrictions that limit their energy options and increase operational costs.

The bill has garnered strong bipartisan support with 27 House members already signed on as co-sponsors.

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About The National Hispanic Energy Council
The National Hispanic Energy Council (NHEC) is founded on the principle of fair and equitable energy for all Americans, driven by the urgent need to reduce the 20% higher energy costs Hispanic families pay compared to the median American family. Drawing on expertise from across the economy and Hispanic community, we exist to fill a void in advocacy: a voice for energy policies that helps Hispanic families, businesses and entrepreneurs. The Council is building a bipartisan coalition of leaders of Hispanic groups across the country, and exists to educate elected officials, policy makers and the Hispanic public on what good energy policy choices look like.