The dust has barely settled from the election, and the stakes for our clean energy future have never been higher. From its proposal, the Energy Permitting Reform Act has been a dangerous proposal, and now, with the election results, there’s a real risk that legislators might push forward under the misguided belief that this flawed bill is our only chance to address transmission needs. But we cannot let urgency justify sacrificing frontline communities. This bill is not the solution—it’s a step backward—and we must ensure it doesn’t pass at all.
Imagine this: a clean energy transition that doesn’t just lower emissions but also uplifts every community, ensuring that no one is sacrificed for the sake of progress. This vision is still possible, but only if we refuse to compromise on justice. We cannot accept a deal that uses our communities as bargaining chips. The fossil fuel industry has exploited us for decades—let’s not give them a running start to do it all over again.
he U.S. Capitol during GreenLatinos Advocacy Week in Hispanic Heritage Month.
For Latino communities across the country, this fight is deeply personal. For decades, we have lived on the frontlines of environmental harm, from the refineries in Houston’s East End to the highways slicing through predominantly Latino neighborhoods in Los Angeles. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)—our cornerstone environmental protection—has been our shield, giving us the power to push back against projects that threaten our health and future. And now, it’s under attack again. The Energy Permitting Reform Act would strip away these protections, silencing public voices and paving the way for fossil fuel projects that we know will disproportionately harm communities like ours.
This election and anticipated attacks on environmental and social protections has shown us the urgent need to stay vigilant and unwavering in our commitment to environmental justice. We cannot allow lawmakers to rubber-stamp policies that perpetuate the same harms of the fossil fuel industry under the guise of "progress." This bill is a Trojan horse, fast-tracking fossil fuel projects while sprinkling in token clean energy measures to distract from the harm. Sacrificing frontline communities to secure incremental wins is not progress—it’s betrayal.
As a community advocate, I’ve seen firsthand what happens when we let harmful legislation slide. Growing up in Whittier, CA, a predominantly Latino community plagued by air pollution, I lived the impacts of environmental injustice every day. NEPA was one of the few tools that gave us a fighting chance—a voice to demand cleaner air and a healthier future. Now, as I see these same protections threatened, I can’t help but think of the next generation and what kind of future we’re leaving for them.
GreenLatinos advocates walking in front of the U.S. Capitol during Advocacy Week.
This election was a wake-up call: we can’t wait for ideal circumstances to fight back. The time to act is now. If we give an inch, they will take a mile—and our communities will pay the price. GreenLatinos stands firm in our commitment to environmental justice and to ensuring that no frontline community bears the brunt of harmful legislation. We’ve fought too hard for too long to let the fossil fuel industry dictate our clean energy future.
We must reject the Energy Permitting Reform Act, no matter what form it takes, and demand bold, just policies that don’t compromise our values or our people. This is a moment for courage, for unity, and for an unshakable commitment to equity. We refuse to repeat the harms of the past or bolster the efforts of the industries that have caused them.
The clean energy transition is our chance to write a different story—a story where every community, especially those long overlooked, has a say and shares in the benefits. Let’s not let this moment slip away. Together, we can ensure a future where progress uplifts everyone—not just a privileged few.
Irene Burga is GreenLatinos Climate Justice and Clean Air Program Director.
