Consumer Energy Alliance

Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization created to help expand the dialogue between the energy and consuming sectors to improve understanding of energy security, more effectively develop and use both renewable and oil & gas energy resources in an environmentally conscious manner, create sound energy policy and maintain stable energy prices for consumers.

The Hispanic Institute (THI), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is an educational forum for an informed and empowered Hispanic America, including making informed decisions related to American energy development.

“Our work is focused on the following areas: the study of Hispanic and immigrant economic contributions; media monitoring; consumer fraud protection; citizenship education; technology, telecommunications and the digital divide; and financial services,” says Gus West, THI Board Chair.

“We have produced studies on such topics as Hispanics and Retirement, Calling Card Fraud, Hispanic Broadband Access, Interchange Fees, and Immigration and Labor. In addition, we have developed media education campaigns on crucial issues such as Immigration Reform, Labor and Business, Net Neutrality, The Digital Divide, and Interchange Fees.”

Regarding energy, THI has two goals: 1. Job creation, and 2. Stabilizing energy costs, according to West.

“At a time when we are facing perhaps the greatest economic crisis in our nation’s history, we feel that energy can provide the United States with new jobs. We estimate that there are currently almost 6 million direct/indirect jobs in the Oil and Gas industry,” explains West. “We at The Hispanic Institute want to urge policy makers to help create jobs through energy policies that insure the economic security of our citizens.”

In addition, West points out that volatile energy prices effect most those least able to afford the ups and downs related to energy costs for basic needs, including heating, electricity and transportation.

“The social and economic impact of the high cost of energy creates an extreme hardship on our seniors, our lower and middle class citizens and those living in areas of high energy needs. It is more important than ever that the federal government allow for development of our energy resources because the ramifications for the aforementioned groups are enormous.”

THI is an affiliate of Consumer Energy Alliance because of, what West calls, “CEA’s logical approach to energy policy.”

“We began working closely with the Consumer Energy Alliance in support of the Five-Year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program. THI secured letters of support from Hispanic federal, state and local elected officials as well as national NGO’s. CEA was out in front of this issue, and it speaks volumes that the current administration embraced CEA’s position. It demonstrates CEA’s logical approach to energy policy. We only hope that the energy industry realizes the significance of the work that CEA does and redoubles their support of this very important organization.”

For more information on The Hispanic Institute, visit http://thehispanicinstitute.net.