“Natural gas” is methane gas. It might be “natural,” but it’s bad for the Earth and bad for the health of our families.
This fossil fuel is made of methane—a potent greenhouse gas that is warming our planet, destabilizing the climate, and driving up energy costs in the process.
That’s why EcoMadres knew they needed to jump into action when the Hispanic Energy Council (HEC) published an article in the Florida Daily on May 3, 2024, promoting gas as a solution to the disproportionate energy costs that Latino families face.
Tell the Hispanic Energy Council: Set the Record Straight
In response, EcoMadres wrote an open letter to the HEC that debunks their false claims and gives readers an opportunity to take action. On June 2, 2024, this letter ran in the Miami Herald, the Palm Beach Post, and El Nuevo Herald, reading: “Florida power companies overwhelmingly rely on imported methane gas for 75% of their fuel and are overdependent on the methane market. This reliance caused a staggering 10–20% rate increase during last summer’s record-breaking heat forcing families to cut back on groceries and essential medications in order to pay high electric bills. And these rate spikes will happen again.”
EcoMadres’ mission is to empower Latino communities to advocate for the health and well-being of their families by providing them with accurate information, and this is the driving force behind EcoMadres’ determination to counter the HEC’s dangerous and misleading statements.
EcoMadres Director Isabel González Whitaker says: “Disinformation is a dagger aimed at the heart of Latino communities, sowing seeds of distrust and division amid the richness of our shared experiences. We urge the Hispanic Energy Council to stop disseminating inaccurate information. The volatile gas market is the true culprit behind high energy bills and seasonal cost spikes. Methane gas is also linked to significant health risks, and the truth is that clean energy promises to be the more affordable, reliable, and safe option Latino communities need.”