CONTACT: Karen Ottoni, 202-945-8320, karen@communicationsshop.us
Washington, DC—EcoMadres’ mission is to provide accurate information to Latino communities, empowering them to advocate for the health and well-being of their families. That’s why we released an open letter to the Hispanic Energy Council on June 2 in response to the dangerous and inaccurate article that they published in the Florida Daily on May 3 promoting “natural gas” as a solution to disproportionate energy costs that Latino families face. Our letter explains that “natural gas” is methane gas, a major contributor to climate change, which is hurting our families and driving up Florida’s energy costs.
The letter states, “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.”
In response to this disinformation, EcoMadres Director Isabel González Whitaker released the following statement:
“Disinformation is a dagger aimed at the heart of Latino communities, sowing seeds of distrust and division amidst 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. Natural 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.”
Below is the full text of the letter:
EcoMadres is part of a community of over 1.5 million caregivers united to fight for clean air and equitable climate solutions. We seek to empower our members with accurate information to effectively advocate for the health of Latino families. That’s why we want to address incorrect information published in the Florida Daily by the Hispanic Energy Council on May 3, 2024.
“Natural gas” is methane gas, and it is a huge contributor to the global warming that is hurting our families, and driving up Florida’s energy costs.
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 recognizes and fully supports the need to reduce high energy costs. We know Latino families in Florida pay more for energy than white non-Hispanic households.
We also know there are solutions.
Florida families need greater investments in transitioning homes to renewable energy and building out locally produced clean energy. We do not need to spend billions of dollars to import methane gas from other states. Instead, let’s lead on solar power.
Decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels, such as methane gas, and increasing renewable power and investing in energy efficient upgrades is the right choice to fight climate change and protect public health—and is the right choice for Florida’s families.
For our families,
EcoMadres
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