Energy Policy: Pushing 'Choice' Bill While Taking $66,466 from Oil & Gas and Scoring 3% on Environment

Environment Source: Press Releases DOCUMENTED PATTERN

Why This Matters for NY-23

Energy costs affect every household. So does clean water. When a representative pushes legislation that benefits the fossil fuel industry while taking $66,466 from that industry, constituents deserve to know. When that same representative has a 3% lifetime environmental score and declines to offer solutions on PFAS contamination affecting local water supplies, the pattern is worth documenting.

Statement

Source: Press Releases, Press Conferences (2025) Reported by: WRFA-LP, WNY News Now, Wellsville Sun

Langworthy has promoted his Energy Choice Act (H.R. 3699) as protecting consumers: “This is an un-American assault on our freedom, on our pocketbooks, but most importantly on our safety.”

When asked about PFAS “forever chemicals” contaminating water supplies, Langworthy responded: “Down the road we might get into more specific questions with the PFAS question […] but I would await conversations with the incoming EPA administrator.”

Campaign Finance

Oil & Gas Industry Contributions to Langworthy (2024 cycle):

  • Total: $66,466
  • From PACs: $50,000
  • From Individuals: $16,466
  • Ranks as his 8th largest industry contributor

Source: OpenSecrets.org

Environmental Voting Record

League of Conservation Voters National Environmental Scorecard:

  • 2024 Score: 0% (28 anti-environment votes, 0 pro-environment)
  • 2023 Score: 6% (2 pro-environment votes, 33 anti-environment)
  • Lifetime Score: 3%

Selected Anti-Environment Votes (2024):

  • Voted to defund DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
  • Voted to block EV tax credits
  • Voted to eliminate EPA cleaner cars rules
  • Voted to roll back methane polluter fee
  • Voted to block Delaware River Basin fracking restrictions
  • Voted against offshore wind development
  • Voted to repeal Inflation Reduction Act clean energy provisions

The Energy Choice Act: What It Does

H.R. 3699 would:

  • Prohibit states and local governments from banning natural gas, propane, or other fossil fuel hookups in new construction
  • Override New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act provisions taking effect January 1, 2026
  • Preempt local building codes requiring all-electric construction

Industry endorsements:

  • National Propane Gas Association
  • American Public Gas Association
  • Independent Oil and Gas Association of New York
  • American Petroleum Institute

Status: Passed House Energy and Commerce Committee (December 2025); awaiting full House vote

Context

Langworthy frames the Energy Choice Act as protecting consumer freedom while:

  1. Taking $66,466 from the fossil fuel industry whose interests the bill serves
  2. Maintaining a 3% lifetime environmental score
  3. Consistently voting against renewable energy, clean air, and climate provisions
  4. Declining to offer specific solutions on PFAS contamination affecting NY communities

The bill would effectively prevent New York and other states from implementing climate policies voters and legislators have enacted, transferring regulatory authority to the federal level where fossil fuel interests have greater influence.

Sources

  • WRFA-LP Jamestown: “Rep. Langworthy Proposes Bill To Prohibit States From Imposing Ban On Energy Sources” (September 2025)
  • WNY News Now: “Langworthy Unveils Energy Choice Act to Block State Bans on Traditional Energy Sources” (June 2025)
  • Wellsville Sun: “Congressman Langworthy: Law to block NY Governor’s ‘gas ban’ approved in committee” (December 2025)
  • WSKG: “Langworthy lays out 2025 congressional agenda” (January 2025)
  • League of Conservation Voters: National Environmental Scorecard - Nick Langworthy
  • OpenSecrets.org: Rep. Nick Langworthy - Contributors by Industry

Note: This entry documents publicly available information from official records, campaign finance disclosures, and news reports. Readers may draw their own conclusions.

In Plain Language

Langworthy frames his Energy Choice Act as protecting “freedom” and “pocketbooks.” The bill would prevent New York from implementing clean energy building codes.

Here’s the context:

  • He’s received $66,466 from oil & gas companies (his 8th largest industry contributor)
  • His lifetime environmental score is 3% (League of Conservation Voters)
  • In 2024 alone, he cast 28 anti-environment votes and zero pro-environment votes
  • When asked about PFAS chemicals contaminating water supplies, he said he’d “await conversations with the incoming EPA administrator”

The groups endorsing his bill? National Propane Gas Association, American Petroleum Institute, Independent Oil and Gas Association. The groups opposing it? Environmental advocates and clean energy supporters.

It’s possible to genuinely believe fossil fuel policy benefits consumers. But when industry contributions, voting patterns, and bill endorsements all align, constituents should understand whose interests are being served.

Last updated: December 22, 2025