PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL – The National Hispanic Energy Council (NHEC), founded to bring a Hispanic voice to the energy policy debate, today said it has successfully concluded its annual fly-in to Washington, D.C., where Hispanic energy leaders from NHEC and its board of trustees met with key Congressional offices to advocate for policies that will help lower the 20% higher energy cost burden faced by Hispanic households.
NHEC representatives held productive meetings with the offices of lawmakers, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Congressman Gabe Vasquez (D-NM), and staff members from the House Natural Resources Committee, House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
“We are grateful to the Congressional leaders who took time to hear our concerns about energy affordability and reliability for Hispanic communities across America,” NHEC Chairman Julio Fuentes, who also serves as president and CEO of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said. “These discussions highlighted the critical importance of enacting policies that recognize how important affordable, reliable energy is in driving the Hispanic community’s $3.2 trillion contribution to America’s GDP, and recognized the need to lower the higher energy cost burden our families face.”
NHEC in its meetings discussed several key policy priorities, including permitting reform to expedite energy infrastructure projects, preservation of certain pro-energy development policies including those under Section 45 of the U.S. tax code as well as production and investment tax credits, and the importance of regular oil and gas leasing in the Gulf of America and on federal lands.
The meetings represent a continuation of NHEC’s dedicated efforts to advocate for fair and equitable energy policies that benefit the growing Hispanic community in the United States, and to bring a Hispanic voice and perspective to the national energy conversation.
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About The National Hispanic Energy Council
The National Hispanic Energy Council (NHEC) The National Hispanic Energy Council 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.
Contact:
Bryson Hull
(202) 657-2855
bhull@hbwresources.com
