Much has been made recently about the Environmental Protection Agency’s latest regulatory push in what it calls its “Clean Power Plan.” But a critical point that is often missed in debates is how these types of heavy-handed regulations impact underserved communities–like American Hispanics.
With the Clean Power Plan, the Big Government bureaucracy in Washington threatens to undermine the economic progress that American Hispanics make everyday for themselves and their families. To continue empowering that progress, our country needs public policy that fosters economic growth and opportunity. The Clean Power Plan does just the opposite.
The potential consequences EPA’s regulations would inflict on the nation and our community are troubling. Under the proposal, fuel sources like coal that our electric grid depends on to operate properly will be dramatically undercut. One economic analysis of the Clean Power Plan has estimated double digit electricity rate increases in 43 states with the rates in Florida potentially jumping 16%-20% as a result of the expected steps for the state to comply with the EPA proposal.
The cumulative effect of a lack of reliable and affordable energy has the potential to impact every aspect of American lives, from charging smartphones and tablets needed for work, communication and education, to cooling and heating our homes in harsh weather conditions.
Under the EPA proposal, Florida would be forced to cut its carbon emissions by 38.3% by 2030. EPA even willfully ignores that the state has already cut emissions significantly over the past decade.
Luckily for Floridians, legislators are standing up for families, businesses and their budgets. State Representative John Wood (R-41) introduced House Bill 849, which will hopefully be supported by members of the Florida House Energy & Utilities Subcommittee. Building on existing law, H.B 849 would ensure that Florida’s legislature has the last word on approving any regulation that would cost taxpayers more than $1 million dollars.
The EPA proposal will only spell trouble for families across the country, who will face the threat of less reliable, but much more expensive, electricity if the Clean Power Plan is implemented.
According to a 2014 Survey by the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, nearly 70% of Hispanic voters are rightfully concerned with the impact of the EPA proposal on energy costs.
