Communities Demand Action as Trump Administration's Energy Policy Freezes Devastate Arizona

**PHOTOS**

**LIVESTREAM RECORDINGS**

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Phoenix, AZ — On Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Poder Latinx, CHISPA, Rural Arizona Action and the Climate Action Campaign held a press conference to sound the alarm on the Trump administration’s sweeping attacks on critical clean energy and public health programs — actions that are already inflicting serious damage on Arizona’s rural communities, health systems, and working families.

Held under the growing shadow of another record-breaking heat season, the event featured frontline voices from environmental, health, and policy organizations. Speakers highlighted the administration’s rollback of climate protections, freezing of billions in clean energy investments, and elimination of vital safety-net programs like the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

“We’re not just seeing a lack of support — our communities are being actively targeted,” said Marshall Morgan-Pavar, Environmental Justice Organizer at Rural Arizona Action. “Programs like LIHEAP and REAP [Rural Energy for America Program] are lifelines. Gutting them means higher bills, fewer jobs, and unbearable choices for rural families just trying to survive extreme heat.”

Arizona Families Left Behind

LIHEAP, which helped nearly 630,000 low-income families in Arizona cover utility bills during peak heat seasons, has seen drastic funding reductions. Jose Flores, Eco-Poder Coordinator with Poder Latinx, warned that, “The Trump administration has cut off access to the very programs that keep our most vulnerable neighbors safe during deadly summer heatwaves. The result is job losses, cancelled clean energy projects, and economic instability across the state.”

State Representative Mariana Sandoval added:

“This is not just bad policy. It's a direct attack on Arizona’s future. The freeze on federal funds has stopped critical job-creating investments and life-saving energy rebates for over half a million households.”

Public Health in Jeopardy

Pat Van Manen, Chair of the Arizona Nurses Association Climate Change and Health Work Group, highlighted the health toll:

“Maricopa County received an ‘F’ for air quality last year. Asthma cases are rising. Our elderly and our children are suffering. The Trump administration’s decision to gut over 30 pollution standards is sacrificing our health for the profit of polluters.”

“The administration has launched the most damaging assault on clean energy in modern history,” said Itzel Rios-Vega, Regional Director at Vote Solar. “When funding stops, solar projects stall, and the communities that benefit most — rural towns, tribal lands, and low-income neighborhoods — are left behind.”

A Call to Action

Speakers urged Arizonans to take immediate action by contacting their congressional representatives and demanding the restoration of funds for clean energy, public health, and family-support programs like LIHEAP.

“Sunshine is free,” said Rios-Vega. “Affordable, clean power should be too. The Trump administration may be stalling our future, but we won’t stop fighting for it.”

About Poder Latinx:

Poder Latinx is a community-focused organization working to build political power and economic opportunity for Latinx and underserved communities in Arizona through advocacy, education, and action on climate, energy, and environmental justice.

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 Poder Latinx’s mission is to build a political wave where Latinx communities, immigrants, and people of color are decision-makers in this country’s democracy.