“The passage of H.R. 1--the Lower Energy Costs Act, also referred to by some as the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ raises serious concerns for the future of environmental protection, public health, and the climate resilience for communities across the country, including the more than 56 million Latinos living in the United States. 

“The bill includes provisions that delay and weaken the Methane Emissions Reduction Program and the methane polluter fee–tools that were designed to reduce energy waste and limit harmful methane emissions. Many Latino communities already experience disproportionate exposure to air pollution and its health effects, including asthma and other respiratory conditions, since they live and work near air-polluting facilities. 

“Additionally, the bill mandates 30 new offshore oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico, each totaling at least 80 million acres, and 6 off Alaska’s coast, each totaling at least 1 million acres, and reduces funding for programs aimed at strengthening coastal resilience. These provisions will most likely result in increased pollution risks and reduced investments in infrastructure and habitat restoration that protect coastal communities--home to millions of Latinos--from rising sea levels, storms, and flooding.

“The legislation also reduces support for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) scientific research and environmental review processes. These cuts will impair our ability to track weather events, respond to climate threats, maintain national marine sanctuary programs, and safeguard marine ecosystems that are vital to the economic and cultural well-being of coastal communities.

“As we move forward, it is critical that future legislation prioritizes community health and safety, supports scientific research, and strengthens—not weakens—our collective capacity to address climate change and protect the natural resources that so many communities rely on.”