Utility companies are using social media to bolster support for gas stoves, despite climate and health impacts

Across the country, cities and states are clamping down on the use of gas in homes and buildings, spurred by pressure to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate indoor pollution. In an effort to push back, utility companies are using social media platforms like NextDoor and Instagram to generate “grassroots” support for gas appliances like stoves and fireplaces. Of course the industry’s influence campaigns conveniently neglect to mention that cooking with gas not only contributes to the climate crisis, but also emits pollutants linked to respiratory issues. As one executive wrote in an email obtained through FOIA: “If we wait to promote natural gas stoves until we have scientific data that they are not causing any air quality issues we’ll be done.” Mother Jones has the deep dive.