CEA Applauds Florida Legislators and Gov. DeSantis for Ensuring Continued Access to Affordable, Reliable Energy

May 15, 2024

TALLAHASSEE – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, released the following statement today upon the signing of Florida HB 1645 regarding energy resources.

Kevin Doyle, CEA’s Florida Executive Director said, “On behalf of CEA and all of our nearly 400-member companies, thank you to Governor DeSantis and to lead sponsors, Representative Bobby Payne and Senator Jay Collins, for moving this important legislation forward into law.”

“Reliable and affordable energy is vital for Florida’s families and businesses and crucial for our health, safety, and welfare. Diversification of Florida’s fuel supply is a necessary measure in advancing the reliability and sustainability of energy for Floridians.”

“Through comprehensive reforms, HB 1645 promotes policies that ensure Florida’s energy future is secure. This legislation promotes the development of natural gas and renewable energy resources and prioritizes energy production and infrastructure improvements.”

HB 1645 allows our utility companies to build redundancy into their operations, offers customers more energy choices and provides Floridians with greater reliability during extreme weather and peak demand events. Florida’s energy rates are much lower than the national standard due to our diverse portfolio, and HB 1645 aims to promote and maintain the benefits Florida’s energy innovation has provided thus far.

Doyle continued, “We appreciate your support of HB 1645 and we thanks Representative Bobby Payne and Senator Jay Collins for sponsoring this legislation during the legislative session. With your signature of this important piece of legislation, our residents in Florida can continue to have access to reliable, affordable, and abundant energy sources.”

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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) 657-2855
bhull@consumerenergyalliance.org

CEA Applauds ‘Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act’: Preserving Consumer Choice and Affordable Energy

May 7, 2024

H.R. 6192 Protects Traditional Fuels, Prevents Backdoor Bans, and Supports an ‘All of the Above’ Energy Approach

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the national consumer advocate focused on the impacts energy policy has on families, small business and consumers, writes to voice its support for H.R. 6192, the “Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act,” legislation that preserves consumer choice and supports an “all of the above” approach to energy which empowers consumers to make rational and informed decisions about their energy usage. This preemptive piece of legislation ensures that the Biden Administration cannot continue attacking affordable and reliable energy types.

“For the last three years we have witnessed irresponsible policies at the federal and state level that have had the unfortunate consequence of increasing prices and harming reliability while failing to achieve environmental goals,” said CEA Vice President Kaitlin Hammons. “It is simply not feasible nor practical to prohibit the use of traditional fuels like natural gas and propane in homes and businesses either through outright bans or backdoor bans by changes to building codes. These harmful policies will lead to higher energy bills, significant service disruptions, and increase income inequality and segregation while doing little to achieve the environmental progress we all desire.”

Through the House’s passage of H.R. 6192, Congress is taking another step to preserve the right of an individual consumer to connect or use any available utility service or source of energy desired, furthering their access to affordable, reliable energy for their homes and businesses.

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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) 657-2855
bhull@consumerenergyalliance.org

CEA Applauds Legislation Reversing Cancelation of Alaska Oil Leases

April 29, 2024

WASHINGTON D.C. – Consumer Energy Alliance, the leading advocate for affordable and reliable energy for families and small businesses, voices its support for H.R. 6285, which reverses the Biden Administration’s ill-advised cancellation of valuable oil leases in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge – over the objections of a majority of Alaska’s consumers. These leases are crucial to contributing to America’s oil supply, nationally and along the West Coast; the millions of acres of Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve ensure that the state continues to provide sustainable and low-cost energy for America’s consumers.

“The Biden Administration continues to wage its war against American energy production, this time through the cancellation of lease sales in Alaska, which continues to be strongly supported by Alaska citizens and on which the state and millions on the West Coast depend to keep energy prices and supply stable,” said Kaitlin Hammons, Vice President of Consumer Energy Alliance. “We commend Reps. Stauber (R-MN) and Peltola (D-AK) for their bipartisanship in sponsoring and advocating for this legislation on behalf of both Alaskan and American energy consumers. Hopefully, with the passing of this legislation, the Administration will realize that Americans value policies that result in affordable and reliable energy, and consistent offshore and onshore lease sales are the best way to achieve that.”

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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) 657-2855
bhull@consumerenergyalliance.org

Biden’s New EPA Rules Put NH Power Grid in Jeopardy, Experts Say

April 28, 2024

Consumer Energy Alliance’s Marc Brown discusses how new the four new EPA rules targeting power plants will impact New England’s power grid, and the harm that will come to consumers.

“Regulators all over the country are sounding alarms when it comes to the tenuous reliability of our country’s electricity grid—much of those concerns a result of policies like this,” said Marc Brown with the Consumer Energy Alliance.

EPA Finalizes New Vehicle Emission Rules to Mandate Electric Vehicles

April 26, 2024

Recently, the U.S. EPA unveiled emissions rules that will begin the banning of cars and trucks that use internal combustion engines. Looking at the energy policies of the Biden Administration, CEA’s David Holt examines what this means for consumers.

“[i]t is disappointing that the Biden Administration continues to be actively working against its stated goal of ‘equipping the American middle class to succeed. While electric vehicles clearly have a role in our vehicle mix, the middle class cannot succeed with the EPA forcing an unworkable, expensive EV quota on working class families.

Warmington Pledges All EVs and Electric Heat in NH by 2040

April 21, 2024

As we enter election season, CEA’s Marc Brown looks at how misinformed energy policies can have a detrimental impact on the families and communities they are designed to help.

“Unfortunately, this is just another example of candidates for office putting forth energy policies without any plans to support them or understanding of the impacts on families,” said Marc Brown with Consumer Energy Alliance.

A Government Takeover of the Utility Will Cost San Diego Taxpayers

April 17, 2024

CEA’s Matt Gonzales discusses the true costs for residents and taxpayers when cities look at taking over utility services.

The City of San Diego is debating whether it should take over the assets and operations of the city’s electric grid – in other words, socializing a privately owned company and putting it under government control. The people of San Diego should reject what amounts to a $9+ billion buyout with highly speculative benefits, very expensive upfront costs, and potential mismanagement that would cost ratepayers and taxpayers dearly for years to come.

CEA Applauds Gov. Kelly for Protecting Consumers’ Right to Buy Vehicles of Their Choice

April 16, 2024

TOPEKA – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, issued the following statement after Governor Kelly signed House Bill 2783, which preserves Kansans’ right to buy the vehicle of their choosing.

“We applaud Governor Kelly for protecting consumer choice in the automotive marketplace by signing House Bill 2783 into law, ensuring Kansans can buy the vehicle that best meets their mobility needs,” CEA Midwest Executive Director Chris Ventura said.

“The bipartisan support this bill received demonstrates how state leaders understand the needs of their communities better than the U.S. EPA which is focused on technologically unfeasible and economically impractical vehicle mandates.”

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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) 657-2855
bhull@consumerenergyalliance.org

Don’t Breeze by Such a Key Issue

April 10, 2024

CEA’s Chris Ventura looks at the true cost of Minnesota’s proposed Clean Transportation Standard and how families can expect to see their gas bills increase by $425, or more, per year if this plan is enacted.

Evan Ramstad’s recent column “Ethanol movement on shakier ground” provided an excellent overview of the Clean Transportation Standard being debated in St. Paul, even broaching the topic of what this would cost Minnesotans — something that supporters of this policy have failed to do.

As Ramstad noted, “Missing from the working group’s discussion was the potential price at the pump of a special Minnesota gasoline.”

The Clean Transportation Bill’s Hidden Tax Hike

April 5, 2024

CEA Midwest’s Chris Ventura looks at the consumer impact Minnesota’s proposed Clean Transportation Standard will have on families and small businesses across the state.

Modeled after California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, the Clean Transportation Standard Act (SF 2584) introduced in the Minnesota Legislature — as currently drafted — could increase fuel prices significantly. Last year, the California Air Resources Board (an official agency of the State of California) analyzed the California policy this bill is modeled on. CARB determined California policies could “potentially increase the price of gasoline by $1.15 per gallon, potentially increase the price of diesel by $1.50 per gallon and fossil jet fuel by $1.21 per gallon.”

Consumer Energy Alliance