1 in 6 US Families Cannot Pay Utility Bill As Temperatures Soar

Over the course of nearly two weeks in June, at least 10 people in one village in southern Texas died due to the excessive heat.

Almost all shared a similar trait: Most of their home lacks air conditioning. 

The Associated Press was informed by Webb County, Texas, Medical Examiner Dr. Corinne Stern that "they either have the fans off or they have the fans on but not with proper ventilation." 

At least one or two people have air conditioning but choose not to use it because of the cost.

With a population of around 267,000, Webb County is home to Laredo, a city on the border with Mexico. 

There are 26% of the population who are poor, which is roughly double the country's median.

One in six US families can't pay their utility bill due to hot weather

However, it's not simply a problem in places like Webb County for people to struggle to pay their electricity bills or afford air conditioning.

According to the National Energy Assistance Directors' Association, or NEADA, one in every six American households, or around 20 million, are currently behind on their power bills. 

The organization fights for increased funding to lower energy costs and represents state initiatives that assist low-income families with paying their utility bills.

Early in July, NEADA anticipated that this year's cost of cooling a home will increase by 11%.

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