ICYMI: Climate Power Applauds Arizona Dems Demanding Real Relief on Energy Costs in Response to SOTU

PHOENIX—Last night, Donald Trump delivered his address gaslighting America about the state of the union. Climate Power applauds Arizona Democrats who spoke out and refused to rubber-stamp an agenda that is driving up costs for working families.

Representative Yassamin Ansari and Senator Ruben Gallego joined fellow Democrats in unity responding to the State of the Union to call out Trump’s failure on affordability and energy costs. While Representatives Eli Crane and Juan Ciscomani applaud and echo Trump’s talking points, Arizona families are still facing higher bills and fewer good-paying energy jobs.

“I chose not to attend the State of the Union because too many families are struggling with unaffordable energy bills while climate impacts worsen across our state.” Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari said. “The reality for Arizona families is stark: Utility bills are skyrocketing, rising as much as 13% nationally over the last year. Meanwhile, Trump’s job-killing war on clean energy, tax breaks for Big Oil and special interests, and gutting of protections for clean air and water show he has consistently put billionaires and corporate interests first. Our focus should be on delivering real affordability and real climate action for working families.”

“Right now this country is hurting—our families that are just trying to make every dollar stretch. There is a lot of work to be done and it’s not going to happen in that chamber for two hours when the President is going to be using that bully pulpit as a way to push further and further his agenda,” said Senator Ruben Gallego in a video.

Since Trump took office, household electric bills have spiked 13 percent nationally. Utilities across 49 states have raised or sought to raise rates by at least $92 billion. More than 172,000 clean energy jobs have been lost or stalled nationwide as projects are canceled or delayed.

Arizona is one of the top impacted states. Seven clean energy projects in the state have been canceled or delayed, representing more than 8,000 jobs and over $3 billion in investment.

“Arizonans are paying more every month while Trump and his allies pretend everything is fine,” said Diali Avila, Climate Power’s Arizona Director. “We support leaders like Yassamin Ansari and Ruben Gallego who are standing up and telling the truth about what Arizona families are actually experiencing.”

Energy demand is rising, driven in part by data centers and extreme heat. Instead of increasing supply with cheaper clean energy, the Trump administration and congressional Republicans like Juan Ciscomani and Eli Crane have moved to gut investments and cancel projects, driving up prices as energy demand skyrockets.

Climate Power supports the Arizona Democratic delegation’s efforts to hold the administration accountable and to push for policies that lower energy costs, protect clean air, and create jobs in the state.

“We don’t need more self-congratulation,” said Avila. “We need lower bills, more jobs, and leaders who are willing to challenge a president who is making the affordability crisis worse.”

For more information, visit climatepower.us.

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