Austin, TX – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, applauds the Texas Legislature for overwhelmingly passing HB 17, bipartisan legislation to protect the rights of consumers by prohibiting municipalities from adopting energy service bans.
“Thank you, members of the Texas Legislature, for supporting this common-sense, bipartisan legislation that will protect our families and small businesses from prohibitions on the use of reliable, safe and clean fuels like natural gas in homes or communities,” CEA Gulf Coast Director Kaitlin Schmidtke said.
“With more than one-third of Texas households depending on natural gas to heat their homes, energy service bans on consumers or businesses could lead to serious and significant service interruptions and surprisingly large increases in Texas’ energy bills. They could also require the replacement of major appliances, which could cost Texas’ families and businesses billions of dollars – a burden that would be ruinous for those living at or below the poverty level.”
“Texas joins 10 other states that have either passed or are pursuing similar common-sense, pro-consumer, pro-energy legislation this year. CEA commends the legislature for working together to ensure energy access and protect consumers and the environment. We urge Governor Abbott to sign this legislation to ensure affordable and reliable energy access for families, consumers and businesses across the state. ”
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About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is the leading voice for sensible energy and environmental policies for consumers, bringing together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers, and manufacturers to support America’s environmentally sustainable energy future. With more than 550,000 members nationwide, we are committed to leading the nation’s dialogue around energy, its critical role in the economy, and how it supports the vital supply chains for the families and businesses that depend on them. CEA works daily to encourage communities across the nation to seek sensible, realistic, and environmentally responsible solutions to meet our nation’s energy needs.
Contact:
Bryson Hull
(202) 429-4362
bhull@consumerenergyalliance.org
