Rep. Mike Levin Announces New Energy Affordability Legislation to Lower Electricity Bills as Iran Conflict Sends Shockwaves Through Global Energy Markets
Encinitas, CA – Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) was joined by consumers and local environmental advocates to announce the introduction of the Energy Bills Relief Act, new energy affordability legislation to drive down energy costs amidst global energy market volatility due to the war with Iran.
Over the past 12 months, electricity prices have increased more than twice as fast as inflation — and they are expected to keep rising as the war with Iran continues. Prices will also continue to climb as new data centers and factories connect to the power grid and clean energy credits phase out following their repeal by the Trump Administration. The new Energy Bills Relief Act addresses energy costs in three ways: deploying low-cost clean energy; putting affordability over profits; and modernizing the electric grid.
“Americans are tired of paying more while utilities and fossil fuel companies profit. That's why I'm proud to introduce the Energy Bills Relief Act — a consumer-first plan to lower electricity bills and take on the structural drivers of high energy costs, once and for all. We will deploy affordable clean energy that is good for the planet and your pocketbook, put families over fossil fuel companies, and modernize our grid for the 21st century,” said Rep. Levin. “President Trump promised to cut energy bills in half — instead, he started a war driving up the cost of gas, electricity, and groceries for every American family. We have a plan to lower energy costs and I will fight every single day to make it law.”
The Energy Bills Relief Act prioritizes consumers and ensures access to low-cost energy for our homes, businesses, and economy by:
- Reinstating tax credits for home and system-wide energy improvements that were ended by President Trump and congressional Republicans
- Incentivizing utility companies to save consumers’ money by rewarding them for making their systems more efficient, thereby lowering bills
- Providing financial assistance to American families to make sure their power isn’t shut off
- Cracking down on price gouging, so energy companies can’t take advantage of you to boost their profits
- Ensuring that facilities like data centers are paying for their own costs because it’s not fair for their expenses to be pushed onto your household if one opens in your area
- Giving a voice to the American people so they can benefit from energy projects in their community
“Solana Center for Environmental Innovation is pleased to host Congressman Levin as he introduces important legislation to promote clean, reliable energy sources in the USA,” said Jessica Toth, Executive Director of Solana Center for Environmental Innovation. “Our mission is to prevent the loss of natural resources and limit greenhouse gases emissions. Legislation requires community actors to drive intended outcomes. Solana Center is here to make the possible practical – lowering consumption, decarbonizing, and consuming responsibly.”
“In the middle of an affordability crisis, no one should be forced to cut back on essentials to keep their power on. The Energy Bills Relief Act is a straightforward step to ease that burden and finally deliver the kind of relief people can actually feel without gutting environmental protections and with Tribal consultation,” said Aaron McCall, Federal Advocacy Coordinator, California Environmental Voters. “Lowering these costs isn’t just good policy, it’s necessary to protect families right now. It’s time to stop letting high energy bills drain Californians and start putting money back where it belongs.”
“Two out of five homes in San Diego are behind on their bills, with families forced to choose between putting food on the table, going to the doctor, or keeping the lights on. And this isn’t just a few people here or there, it’s a crisis,” said Serena Pelka, Senior Policy Advocate, Climate Action Campaign. “The Energy Bills Relief Act is an important solution to tackle root causes of high energy costs.”
Text of the legislation can be found here.
A section-by-section can be found here.
A one-page summary can be found here. A three-page summary can be found here.
A list of cosponsors can be found here.
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