WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) joined Representatives Nick Langworthy (NY-23), Tony Gonzales (TX-23), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Tom McClintock (CA-05), Jim Moylan (GU-AL), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), and Clay Higgins (LA-03) to introduce the Energy Choice Act. This bill would prohibit states or localities from prohibiting an energy service’s connection, reconnection, modification, installation, or expansion based on the type of energy source being delivered.

“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,” said Congressman Valadao. “Governor Newsom has banned the sale of combustion-engine vehicles in the state after 2035 – putting the interests of extreme environmentalists over hardworking 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.”

“Governor Kathy Hochul and Democrats in Albany are hurting Upstate New Yorkers with their relentless war on American energy,” said Congressman 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. 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.”

“To achieve energy independence we need energy diversification, but not to the exclusion of traditional energy sources,” Congresswoman Malliotakis said. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing legislation to prevent states like New York from banning specific types of energy to increase reliability, protect our constituents during the cold winter months and ensure Americans have access to affordable energy options.”

"President Biden and Governor Hochul continue to squash American energy production and infringe on Americans' right to choose how they heat their homes by implementing legislation to make energy for our communities less reliable and more expensive," said Congresswoman Tenney. "The Energy Choice Act would prevent any state attacks on energy choice to save our families money and unleash American energy dominance. The Left must end their war on natural gas and allow Americans to choose the energy sources that work best for them!"

“As a result of weak policies, the American people are burdened by a higher cost of living now more than ever before,” said Congressman Moylan. “The Energy Choice Act works to ease the pockets of Americans by giving them the right to access affordable and reliable energy through prohibiting restrictions on natural gas. Most importantly, this bill would make us less dependent on foreign adversaries for our energy needs.”

Background:

In August of 2022, California’s Air Resources Board (CARB) approved a measure requiring all new vehicles sold in the state of California 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.

In April of this year, Congressman Valadao led a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom urging him to reconsider this policy and cited the impacts on the state’s electrical grid, supply chain, and economy.

The full text of the bill can be found here.