Social Justice

Washington, D.C. — In response to today’s House introduction of the Connect the Grid Act, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa Texas released the following statements:  “We applaud the members of Congress who are leading the charge to help all communities have access to more reliable, clean affordable power, especially in historically excluded communities of color and communities with low wealth,” said LCV Vice President of Federal Policy Matthew Davis.  “Extreme heat and winters have wreaked havoc on Texas’ isolated electric grid, and after last year’s deadly hottest year on record, it’s more important than ever to have reliable, clean energy sources in every community. We urge Congress to pass the Connect the Grid Act, and will work to ensure that people in the most impacted communities are prioritized over polluters in its implementation and the implementation of any other transmission and reliability improvements.” *** “Chispa Texas welcomes the Connect the Grid Act. For too long our state’s electric grid reliability has not been taken seriously, and the communities left without power due to extreme weather, or even regular weather, are the same communities already dealing with disproportionate environmental impacts due to the fossil fuel industry,” said Chispa Texas Director Elida Castillo. “We are particularly encouraged by the Act’s inclusion of ‘meaningful community involvement,’ which will allow Latino and Black neighborhoods to help shape their energy needs, including putting our comunidades first over large industry consumers and Big Polluters. Congress must quickly and equitably pass the Connect the Grid Act.” ###