Protecting your energy freedom

This Fourth of July, as we celebrate our nation’s hard-fought freedoms with fireworks and friends, let’s also take a moment to appreciate the freedom of choice in our everyday lives. From the food we eat to the energy that powers our homes, freedom of choice is a cornerstone of the American dream, and at Lake Apopka Natural Gas District (LANGD), we believe that you should always have the right to choose the fuel source that best fits your budget and needs.

Just as the American dream thrives on diverse opportunities, a varied energy landscape reflects our ideals by offering multiple options for powering our homes and businesses. However, the recent trend toward electrification – a one-size-fits-all approach that dismisses natural gas entirely – threatens this very freedom and overlooks the unique benefits offered by various energy sources. For example, in 2019, Berkeley, California, became the first U.S. city to outright ban natural gas in new developments, and several other municipalities unjustly followed suit. 

Thankfully, Florida stands strong with consumers and their right to choose.

Enacted in July 2021, House Bill 919 safeguards your energy freedom by prohibiting local governments from restricting fuel sources. Meanwhile, cities like Berkeley are finding it tough to maintain natural gas bans as lawsuits mount that challenge the legality of banning natural gas, further emphasizing the importance of energy freedom and the people’s right to choose.

The truth is, natural gas offers a multitude of benefits and advantages over other fuel sources, including:

• Affordability – Studies show that natural gas is twice as efficient as electricity – and cheaper, too. In fact, households that use natural gas for heating, cooking and drying clothes save an average of $1,132 per year compared with homes using electricity for those appliances (American Gas Association), and according to the U.S. Department of Energy, natural gas is 3.3 times more affordable than electricity.
• Dependability – While power lines can be knocked out by storms, natural gas is delivered through underground pipes, keeping your energy flowing safely, even during extreme weather.
• Cleaner – As the cleanest-burning fossil fuel available (Forbes), natural gas plays an important role in keeping our environment clean and safe for generations to come. In fact, the increased use of U.S. natural gas is partially responsible for the greatest reduction in U.S. CO2 emissions in recent decades, as much as 32% since 2005 (EnergyInstitute.org).
• Domestic – Choosing natural gas strengthens our economic independence. Over 97% of the natural gas used in the U.S. is domestically produced, keeping American energy dollars circulating within our own communities and contributing to a stronger local economy.