Jun 28, 2018   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Consumer Energy Alliance to Voters: From Now through November, Remember Elections Matter

Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) announced today a new effort by their nationwide “Campaign for America’s Energy” initiative to remind voters about the importance of energy in their daily lives and encourage them to consider candidates’ stances on energy production and infrastructure when they head to the polls.

This effort begins as the organization and its 500,000-plus national member’s countdown to Election Day 2018.

CEA’s emphasis on the implications of energy policies on families and small businesses comes when most Americans live paycheck to paycheck and households, on average, spend more than $3,500 annually on energy-related costs. According to the Census Bureau, more than 40 million Americans live in poverty, and 13.5 million are out of work or searching for full-time jobs – all of whom see unnecessarily-high, double-digit percentages of their take-home pay go toward utility and fuel expenses.

Unfortunately, the situation is paramount in many states across the U.S., including New Mexico, where CEA has recently expanded its campaign to bring greater attention to the state’s desire to improve its business climate, provide more jobs and help the state’s most underserved families afford energy.

For a low-income New Mexican living at or near the poverty line, energy costs can be over 47 percent of their individual income – nearly 8 times the amount that experts consider to be affordable. These expenses often saddle households who can least afford them, especially the 21.5 percent of New Mexico residents on food stamps.

“As voters begin thinking about their choices for Election Day this fall, they need to remember that without reasonable energy solutions, their costs for electricity, heating, cooling and gasoline rise,” David Holt, President of CEA, said. “Unfortunately, those most impacted by energy price increases are those living on a fixed income or living paycheck to paycheck.”

Holt added: “The good news is that in many states – including New Mexico, thanks to abundant, low-cost, energy, families and businesses don’t have to go far to get the resources they need to help lower their bills. Voters really need to consider issues, like energy, that can directly affect them when they go to the polls this November.”

“From now through November, CEA will be increasing awareness throughout its current campaign states – and now New Mexico – to ensure voters understand that no matter what party you support, you’ve got to make sure that the candidate you’re voting for agrees with your energy priorities,” Holt added. “If an elected official has forgotten about the best interests of those they were elected to represent and failed to appreciate the real and devastating consequences that a just-say-no approach to energy has on them, they need to know they are potentially raising energy prices on those who voted them into office.”

The “Campaign for America’s Energy” focuses on educating families, businesses and state and local lawmakers about the benefits of energy and the critical role it plays in everyday lives and budgets.

About Consumer Energy Alliance

Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) brings together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers and manufacturers to support America's energy future. With more than 450,000 members nationwide, our mission is to help ensure stable prices and energy security for households across the country. We believe energy development is something that touches everyone in our nation, and thus it is necessary for all of us to actively engage in the conversation about how we develop our diverse energy resources and energy's importance to the economy. Learn more at ConsumerEnergyAlliance.org.