/EINPresswire.com/ -- WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - February 12, 2016) - This is a statement from the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce:

The USHCC is encouraged to see bipartisan collaboration on a robust energy bill, S.2012 The Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015, and we commend Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) for their leadership in producing this piece of legislation. We are confident that investments to improve infrastructure, supply management, and cyber security will ultimately lead to a more reliable, efficient and secure future. It's critically important however, that small businesses are not burdened with unnecessary costs derived from regulations that do not promote fair competition.

For this reason, our association of 4.1 million Hispanic-owned firms and over 220 local chambers supports Senator Jeff Flake's (R-AZ) amendment to S.2012, the Ratepayer Fairness Act. Flake's amendment would ensure a leveled playing field for all by requiring state regulatory authorities and nonregulated utilities to examine policies leading to the cross-subsidization of certain technologies that only benefit a few customers. New policies would be examined to determine whether they: provide an unfair competitive advantage to market the customer-side technology, result in benefits only enjoyed by a few customers who use this technology or shift costs to customers that do not use the technology.

The USHCC will continue advocating for an all-inclusive strategy that utilizes all available energy sources, because we recognize the growing importance of becoming a more energy efficient nation.

About the USHCC

Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of our nation's entrepreneurs. The USHCC advocates on behalf of nearly 4.1 million Hispanic-owned businesses, that together contribute in excess of $661 billion to the American economy, each year. As the leading organization of its kind, the USHCC serves as an umbrella to more than 200 local chambers and business associations across the nation, and partners with more than 250 major corporations.

For more information, visit www.ushcc.com.

Nidya Sarria
Senior Communications Manager
786-514-1311