Natural Gas
New England families and businesses currently pay the highest prices in the country for natural gas even though an abundant, low-cost source is just 300 miles away. Around 2000, the region made the decision to move away from coal- and oil-fired power plants for environmental and economic reasons, and constructed approximately 12,000 MW of new, highly efficient, combined-cycle natural gas-fired generation capacity. The region did not at the time expand its long-existing natural gas pipelines coming into the region, and that was sufficient for some time. But as homes and businesses began to finally wean off of oil for heating and industrial purposes, existing pipeline capacity has become extremely scarce. As a consequence, we have reverted to coal and oil for electricity during the winter, undermining our environmental and economic goals. At CLEC, we support the addition of two new or expanded pipelines to carry the necessary 2 billion cubic feet of additional capacity we need to end to our reliance on coal and oil and bring clean and affordable energy to all of New England.
Synapse Energy Economics, Inc.’s recent study “Massachusetts Low Gas Demand Analysis: Final Report” has confirmed what countless other studies have found: New England needs additional natural gas pipeline capacity to reliably meet demand for natural gas.
The construction of two billion cubic feet per day (2 Bcf/d) of new natural gas pipeline capacity into New England is the single most impactful action that can be taken now to improve New England’s environment and economy.
Additional Resources
Proposed Clean Power Plan would accelerate renewable additions and coal plant retirements (6.5.15)
Under the proposed CPP natural gas then renewables gain (5.27.15)
Wholesale power prices increase across the country in 2014 (1.12.15)
Heating fuel expenditures rise this winter, especially for propane-heated homes (3.12.14)
New England Spot natural gas Prices hit Record levels this winter (2.21.14)
High prices show stresses in New England natural gas delivery system (2.7.14)
Power prices react to winter freeze and natural gas constraints (1.21.14)
Short Term Energy and Winter Fuels Outlook (10.8.13)
Vermont Yankee nuclear plant closure in 2014 will challenge New England energy markets (9.6.13)
Winter NG Price Spikes In N.E. Spur Generation from Other Fuels (4.12.13)
STEO supplement RE: pipeline constraints in NE (1.18.13)
Northeastern Winter Natural Gas and Electricity Issues (1.9.14)
Northeastern Winter Natural Gas and Electricity Issues (1.8.14)
Northeastern Winter Natural Gas and Electricity Issues (1.7.14)
Northeastern Winter Natural Gas and Electricity Issues (1.25.13)
Northeastern Winter Natural Gas and Electricity Issues (1.24.13)
Northeastern Winter Natural Gas and Electricity Issues (1.23.13)
Northeastern Winter Natural Gas and Electricity Issues (1.22.13)
Commission and Industry Action Relevant to Winter 2014-15 Weather Events (10.16.14)
Winter 2014-15 Energy Market Assessment (10.16.14)
Transcript of Technical Conference on Winter 2013-2014 Operations (4.1.14)
Technical Conference, Northeast Market Winter Performance 13-14 (4.1.14)
Winter 2013-14 Energy Market Assessment, Report to the Commission (10.1.13)
New England power system performed well through winter 2014-2015 (4.7.15)
Wholesale electricity prices and demand - February 2015 (4.7.15)
2014 Regional System Plan, public meeting presentation (10.6.14)
Consumer Liaison Group Meeting (9.24.14)
CLG Presentation Hibbard Analysis Group (9.24.14)
Infrastructure Needs-Electricity-Natural Gas Interdependencies (6.30.14)
Babula Presentation: Post Winter 2013-14 Review (3.6.14)
CLG Meeting Anne George ISO NE Update (3.5.14)
ISO New England Overview and Regional Update (1.21.15)
State of the Grid: Managing a System in Transition (1.21.15)
ISO New England’s Internal Market Monitor (5.20.15)
2013 Assessment of the ISO New England Electricity Markets (6.1.14)
Final Comments on the U.S. DOE’s Quadrennial Energy Review (10.10.14)