The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s recent decision to allow California to proceed with its ban on internal combustion engines has sparked sharp criticism from the National Hispanic Energy Council (NHEC), which warns that the policy will disproportionately harm Hispanic families and businesses. The rule could also pave the way for other states to adopt similar bans, further compounding the impact.
The EPA granted California a waiver to implement its Advanced Clean Cars II standard, a policy aiming to end sales of new gas- and diesel-powered vehicles by 2035. Critics argue this measure will place significant financial burdens on households already grappling with high energy costs.
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“Hispanic households, which already spend 20% more than the median U.S. household on energy, will bear the brunt of this decision,” said Julio Fuentes, NHEC Chairman and President of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “Personal mobility is closely tied to economic opportunity, and this move undermines both.”
Hispanic Americans contribute approximately $3.6 trillion annually to the nation’s GDP, Fuentes noted, emphasizing how mobility is essential for sustaining economic growth. “This California-imposed car ban will hurt its own population first and will ripple into other states that adopt the same unrealistic standard,” he added.
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Fuentes compared the policy to economic missteps seen in socialist regimes, arguing that such government interventions harm consumer choice and lead to declining living standards.
“Many of our families came to the United States seeking freedom and opportunity,” Fuentes said. “California’s policies echo the failed approaches of governments that thought they could control markets—with disastrous results.”
The NHEC is urging the incoming administration to reverse the decision and prioritize practical, affordable energy solutions that empower Hispanic communities. The group advocates for policies that align with the real-world needs of families and businesses.
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“This last-minute decision by the federal government represents bad policy delivered in bad faith,” Fuentes said. “We need policies that lift families up, not policies that make mobility and economic opportunity harder to achieve.”
As California’s policy could influence other states, the debate underscores broader questions about balancing environmental goals with economic and social equity. The NHEC has vowed to continue its advocacy to ensure energy policies work for all Americans, particularly underserved communities.
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