WASHINGTON, D.C. — A coalition led by the Christian Employers Alliance (CEA), ranchers, and energy policy analysts has petitioned President Trump to rescind Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order 1920, citing concerns over rising energy costs and the adoption of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies within utility companies. The group claims these frameworks prioritize ideological agendas over consumer and taxpayer interests.
Order 1920, enacted last year, integrates DEI and ESG principles into utility companies’ operations, allegedly leading to higher costs for businesses and households. CEA President Margaret Iuculano expressed concern over the financial and ethical burdens the regulation imposes on faith-based organizations.
“Access to reliable and low-cost power is essential to every business operation,” Iuculano stated. “Not only does Order 1920 require Christian business owners to needlessly swallow higher utility costs, it forces them to finance woke DEI and ESG policies that don’t align with their faith-based values.” According to Iuculano, CEA is engaging with the Trump administration to propose energy policies that prioritize affordability and fairness.
Criticism of Order 1920 extends to its alleged impact on energy infrastructure. Ryan McGowan, CEO of the Institute for Legislative Analysis, argued that the regulation diverts resources from necessary maintenance and grid resiliency toward renewable energy initiatives. “This little-known FERC regulation may in fact be the most damaging and costly to everyday Americans,” McGowan said, adding that repealing the order could help lower utility rates and refocus on infrastructure stability.
The coalition has highlighted recent energy-related disasters as illustrative of the consequences of what they see as a flawed regulatory approach. Bram Browder, Director of the Center to Protect Ranchers, referenced the Smokehouse Creek wildfire, which burned across Texas in 2024 and was reportedly linked to Xcel Energy, a utility company operating under ESG-driven policies. “Ranchers who lost everything are still waiting a year later to be made whole by Xcel,” Browder said. “They will not stand by idly as these devastating policies are imposed nationwide through Order 1920.”
The coalition is urging swift action to repeal the order, pointing to its broader economic and social implications, including energy affordability and operational efficiency. While these criticisms are under consideration, any regulatory changes will require careful evaluation to address competing priorities of sustainability, consumer protection, and grid reliability.
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