PRIA Logo™
119-hr-5845119th CongressWALLET

Las Americas Energy Security Act

Sponsored By: Representative Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]

Introduced

Summary

Sovereign lending program to finance clean energy and boost energy security across Latin America and the Caribbean. It would create a Treasury‑administered loan program, with State Department input, to meet short-term energy needs and speed transitions to renewables and battery storage.

Show full summary
  • Partner countries would get zero‑interest loans up to 30 years or low‑interest concessional loans up to 50 years for short-term energy needs and clean-energy projects. Loans cannot require austerity and must avoid supporting firms or state-owned enterprises tied to China, Russia, or other designated adversaries.
  • Smaller and developing markets would receive technical assistance and early-stage project support to build a pipeline of investable clean-energy projects and to purchase battery solutions that aim to stabilize electricity prices.
  • The bill would pair financing with diplomatic and regulatory support to prioritize cross-border projects, resilience, and market integration, and it gives preference to democracies and CARICOM members. The International Development Finance Corporation could back some higher‑income partner projects if the President certifies a strategic need.

*Would increase federal spending by up to $100 million per year from 2026 through 2031, authorizing up to $600 million in total.*

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Treasury loans for Latin clean energy

The Treasury would launch a sovereign loan program within 30 days. It would back short‑term energy needs, clean energy transitions, technical help, financing for U.S. firms, and battery purchases. Loans could be zero‑interest up to 30 years or low‑interest up to 50 years, and would not require austerity. Funds could not buy from or support entities tied to China, Russia, or other adversaries. Congress would authorize $100 million each year from 2026 to 2031. Countries would apply with data on viability, private funding, carbon impact, jobs, environment, and community effects, plus a certification on the adversary ban. State would prefer partners that share democratic values, including members of the Alliance for Development in Democracy and CARICOM.

Yearly reports and audits on energy aid

If enacted, the President would report within one year and each year for seven years on selected projects and U.S. roles. Treasury would report within one year and each year for four years on the loan program’s progress and coordination. Treasury would ensure a full audit every year and send audit results to Congress.

U.S. help to speed Latin energy projects

If enacted, the State Department would push diplomacy to clear roadblocks for energy projects. U.S. agencies would give early help through the Trade Development Agency, with USAID and major development banks. Other federal agencies would provide late‑stage support as needed. Projects would favor renewables, storage, grid upgrades, and access for underserved groups. Preference would go to cross‑border links, lower electricity prices, use of U.S. goods, and projects that attract private or multilateral money. For these projects only, DFC could finance even in wealthier countries if the President certifies it serves U.S. interests and key development or strategic tests.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]

NY • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation