José Orozco Pelico: Latino Communities Are Missing Out on Clean Energy Savings

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For José Orozco Pelico, the situation is clear: the Latino community is losing money by not seizing the opportunities offered by clean energy. Moreover, many people lack the necessary information to access the resources that would allow them to take those first steps toward an energy policy that will become dominant in the coming years.

“For me, it’s personal. I’ve worked for several years in the lending industry and I’ve seen how our community lacks information, and how that has resulted in significant financial losses. I lived through the 2008 mortgage crisis up close, when many Latino families lost their homes. I realized they didn’t understand what was happening. Since then, I promised myself to do everything in my power to help,” says Orozco, Executive Vice President of Clean Energy Lending at USC Credit Union.

Since taking on the role about nine months ago, Orozco has been dedicated to finding the best ways to educate the Latino community about the opportunities available within USC Credit Union in terms of clean energy.

“There are many misunderstandings about this topic. Among Latinos, talking about ‘clean energy’ is something new. That’s why it’s essential to start explaining the real benefits it can bring to their lives. But it’s not easy,” he says.

José is an immigrant, born in Tijuana. His mother is from Guatemala and his father from Michoacán. Thanks to this background, he understands the needs of the Latino community firsthand and has the voice and experience to connect with them.

“It’s a challenge. You have to think carefully about how to explain it. For example, when I got this new job, I went to my mom and said, ‘Mom, I got a new job.’ And she asked me, ‘What do you do now?’ I stopped to think about how to explain it in Spanish and said, ‘I work giving ‘préstamos limpios’ (clean loans)—which is a literal translation—and I started laughing, because that clearly doesn’t describe what I do. But experiences like that help me practice how to deliver this message to our people,” he says, laughing.

Since his arrival, USC Credit Union has actively sought to connect with communities on the front lines of climate change impacts, offering them access to credit for green improvements, such as solar panels, electric vehicles, or energy-efficient appliances.

“I always start by asking the basics: How much do you know about clean energy? Do you know about solar panels, electric cars, energy-efficient appliances? If they don’t have the information, we give it to them, and then we analyze their financial situation to offer the best options. The important thing is that they know we’re here to guide them,” Orozco explains.

Several organizations are already focusing on these needs within Latino communities. According to GreenLatinos and the Latino Climate Justice Framework (LCJF), climate justice for Latinos means addressing the systemic inequalities that disproportionately impact these communities. This includes lowering high energy costs, providing access to community-based renewable energy and clean transportation, and advocating for equitable decision-making that considers specific needs such as extreme heat and vulnerability to natural disasters.

Latino communities are on the front lines of the climate crisis: they face extreme weather events, high energy costs, poor air quality, and increased health risks.

“There’s still a lack of awareness in our communities. But that also represents an opportunity to start an educational process. We work in partnership with other organizations to spread this information. In many Latino families, technology is not a priority, so we have to break that language barrier so they can access the financial opportunities we have for them,” José points out.

Among the most well-known topics in the community are solar panels, followed by electric cars. Little by little, electric appliances are also entering the conversation.

“There are many stories. A lady bought an electric car, went to San Diego, and didn’t realize she could run out of charge… and that’s exactly what happened. She couldn’t solve it right away. Another time, I was explaining to my mom the benefits of using an electric stove instead of a gas one, and she looked at me and said: ‘You want me to sacrifice flavor for health?’” he says, laughing again.

For José, the ultimate goal is clear: to bring the benefits of this transition to the community—for their families, for the community, and for the planet. He warns that many upcoming policies will require the use of clean energy by law, so starting now gives people a major advantage.

“I insist: we’re leaving a lot of money on the table if we don’t start familiarizing ourselves with clean energy. With this initiative, USC Credit Union is doing its part. That gives me satisfaction,” he concludes.