As the U.S. faces energy transitions and potential shortfalls, natural gas stands as a vital resource for ensuring community resilience and economic stability.
As communities across the United States grapple with an evolving energy landscape, none feel the urgency more acutely than our Hispanic communities. These families consistently face an energy burden that is 20% higher than the average American household. In this time of energy transition, it’s crucial to recognize the role of natural gas in mitigating these challenges and ensuring energy affordability for our communities.
Natural gas has proven itself as a cornerstone of affordability and reliability in the energy sector. During the Texas solar eclipse event, for example, natural gas quickly compensated for a significant shortfall in solar generation, covering about 80% of the lost capacity. This not only highlights its role as a dependable energy source during unpredictable events but also underpins its importance in maintaining energy affordability.
The economic advantages of natural gas extend significantly beyond crisis management. The Shale Revolution has dramatically reshaped the energy landscape, slashing domestic natural gas prices by 63%. This revolution has resulted in substantial savings for American families—an average of $2,500 annually—while preventing hundreds of thousands from slipping into energy-cost-induced poverty. These figures underscore the direct benefits that natural gas brings to everyday Americans, particularly those in Hispanic communities disproportionately affected by high energy costs. Natural gas has been a huge component to Florida utilities being able to continue lower rates while passing on the benefits to its residential customers.
Contrasting with the tangible benefits of natural gas, some current energy policies focused on rapid electrification risk sidelining this vital resource. Electrification initiatives, while well-intentioned in their environmental objectives, often promote electric-only solutions that could limit consumer choice and access to affordable natural gas. This shift could lead to higher out-of-pocket costs for installations and long-term operations, inevitably impacting those least able to absorb these increases—Hispanic families already facing an unequal energy burden.
Moreover, an aggressive push toward electrification might result in tying consumers to potentially higher electricity prices in the long run. Such policies could inadvertently phase out natural gas options, which have historically helped maintain low energy bills. This is particularly concerning as the ongoing reliance on less diversified energy sources does not just risk economic strain but also energy reliability.
It is clear that while pursuing environmental goals, energy policies must not overlook the economic hardships they impose on vulnerable communities. Policies need to strike a balance, ensuring that the pursuit of environmental sustainability does not come at the expense of accessible and affordable energy.
The current trajectory of energy policy, particularly those that may marginalize natural gas, appears unsustainable for Hispanic families already burdened by disproportionate energy costs. Reassessing these policies to ensure they genuinely benefit these communities is imperative. Keeping natural gas as a central component of our national energy strategy could provide a more balanced, economically viable path forward that aligns environmental benefits with crucial economic needs, ensuring energy remains affordable and reliable for all.
Julio Fuentes is the Chairman of the National Hispanic Energy Council.
