As El Paso families continue to face rising utility bills and extreme temperatures, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) is renewing her call for Congress to advance a package of legislation that would strengthen utility oversight, expand energy assistance, and lower costs by accelerating access to affordable, reliable clean energy.
Congresswoman Escobar supports three bills aimed at addressing the energy affordability crisis from multiple angles: the Lowering Utility Bills Act, led by Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35); the Heating and Cooling Relief Act, led by Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03); and the Energy Bills Relief Act, led by Congressmen Mike Levin (CA-49) and Sean Casten (IL-06).
“Families should not have to choose between keeping the lights on, cooling their homes during dangerous heat, and paying for other basic necessities,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “At a time when utility bills are rising, Congress should be focused on delivering meaningful relief—not protecting excessive utility profits or making it harder and more expensive to build the affordable energy our communities need. This legislative package would increase accountability, expand assistance for families struggling with energy costs, and invest in the reliable, low-cost renewable energy that can help bring bills down over the long term.”
The Lowering Utility Bills Act would establish stronger federal and state standards governing how electric transmission providers and investor-owned utilities calculate their authorized rates of return. By increasing oversight and accountability in the rate-setting process, the legislation seeks to ensure that consumers are not forced to pay unnecessarily high utility bills to support excessive returns for utility companies.
The Heating and Cooling Relief Act would expand and modernize the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), helping more low-income households afford heating and cooling costs. The legislation would better account for the growing risks and financial burdens associated with extreme weather—an especially urgent need in communities like El Paso, where prolonged and dangerous heat can make access to affordable cooling a matter of public health and safety.
The Energy Bills Relief Act would prioritize working families by driving down energy costs as President Trump’s war of choice with Iran causes global energy market volatility. Specifically, the legislation would reinstate the 2022 clean energy tax credits for home and system-wide energy improvements that were eliminated by President Trump and congressional Republicans, helping families reduce their energy use and lower their utility bills. It would also incentivize utility companies to improve the efficiency of their energy systems, reward cost-saving investments, provide financial assistance to help prevent families from having their power shut off, and crack down on price gouging by energy companies. The bill would ensure that large energy users—including data centers—pay their fair share of the costs associated with the energy they consume rather than shifting those expenses onto local households. It would also strengthen opportunities for communities to have a voice in energy projects and share in the benefits those projects bring.
These efforts come as the Trump administration and congressional Republicans have worked to dismantle clean energy tax credits and slow the deployment of renewable energy. The Republican-backed One Big Beautiful Bill Act accelerated the phaseout of key clean energy incentives, including credits that helped families invest in energy-efficient home improvements and residential clean energy. The Trump administration has also stalled the permitting process for several renewable energy projects, including offshore wind projects in Texas, creating uncertainty for projects that could help expand affordable electricity generation and reduce costs for consumers.
