U.S. Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) on Oct. 26 joined a dozen of his Republican colleagues to unveil legislation that would prevent states from banning specific types of energy.
The Energy Choice Act, H.R. 6089, which Rep. Valadao cosponsored alongside bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY), would not allow states or localities to prohibit an energy service’s connection, reconnection, modification, installation, or expansion based on the type of energy source being delivered. U.S. Reps. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA) are among the 10 other GOP original cosponsors.
“California has been ground zero for misguided mandates that penalize traditional energy sources — driving up costs for working families and further stressing our state’s already unreliable power grid,” Rep. Valadao said. “Gov. Newsom has banned the sale of combustion-engine vehicles in the state after 2035 — putting the interests of extreme environmentalists over hard-working Californians.
“I’m proud to support the Energy Choice Act to put an end to these misguided energy policies and ensure an all-of-the-above approach to energy production and use,” added the congressman.
In August 2022, California’s Air Resources Board approved a measure requiring all new vehicles sold in the state to emit zero emissions by 2035. Since then, nine other states have committed to following California’s standard, saying they will enforce the ban on the sale of all internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035. These states include New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Oregon, Washington, and Rhode Island, according to information provided by Rep. Valadao’s staff.
In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democrats are leading a “relentless war” on American energy, said Rep. Langworthy.
“Her effort to ban the use of gas in buildings across the state will not only increase energy costs for families, but it will also eliminate a reliable and necessary source of energy that keeps homes heated and people safe during our extreme winter storms,” he said. “As this is becoming a dangerous trend in blue states across the country, the Energy Choice Act would end these costly bans and secure our nation’s energy future.”
H.R. 6089 has been referred to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration.