Letter from Congressman Kennedy Regarding the Spectra Algonquin Pipeline System
Dear Helen, Thank you for contacting me about natural gas pipeline proposals in New England and Massachusetts. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue and am glad to have the opportunity to respond.
Across the Commonwealth and New England, we are experiencing a dramatic shift in our energy portfolio. In 2000, natural gas produced 15 percent of New England’s electricity; by 2015 it had grown to 49 percent. Use of coal and oil-produced energy has decreased. Our state’s ongoing investments in renewable energy sources have led to significant gains in areas like solar power with advancements in hydropower and wind on the horizon.
This reshaped energy portfolio requires reshaped policies that take into account the unique demands of our region. Natural gas is undoubtedly cheaper, cleaner, and more efficient than comparable fuels. This is important, as the planned retirement of several thousand megawatts of baseload generation resources in our region have raised serious concerns about reliability and cost for consumers. However, natural gas is not without drawbacks. It is neither carbon-free nor renewable, and an over reliance could open up our region to volatile price swings depending on the price and availability of natural gas.
In determining the proper path forward, we must focus on the long-term goal of employing renewable, clean energy technologies while addressing our essential short-term responsibility to ensure consumers have access to energy they can both rely on and afford.
Here in Massachusetts, renewables are becoming more cost-competitive and prevalent, giving us the chance to lead the nation in a clean energy future. I will continue to support federal funding and programs to develop next generation renewable energy technology. Continued investment will help bring down overall cost of renewable energy while improving the technological efficiencies and effectiveness.
As those efforts continue, there have also been several proposals to increase natural gas supply into New England. In our communities in the Fourth Congressional District, the Spectra Algonquin pipeline system has three proposed projects to address the constrained natural gas supply. In particular, one of these projects, the Access Northeast Project, is now undergoing the initial development of an Environmental Impact Statement by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and other federal agencies to determine the project’s impact on the environment, including endangered species. At the end of the formal review process, FERC will determine whether the project is in the “public interest,” taking several factors into account including environmental impact, consumer impact, and needs of the region.
I believe natural gas has a role to play in the diverse energy portfolio our region needs, but that it should be only one piece of our energy puzzle. Any proposed pipeline project must be carefully scrutinized and allow for significant and meaningful public input to determine whether a project is truly in the public interest. The potential environmental and economic impact on local communities should be at the forefront of that process, as well as consideration of whether these projects simply perpetuate an unsustainable dependence on fossils fuels. We cannot needlessly increase reliance on natural gas or saddle ratepayers with long-term financial commitments if it is not economically or environmentally viable.
As these projects move forward, the concerns listed above will inform my opinion. I have and will continue to oppose efforts to circumvent federal environmental review processes and any efforts to expedite the review and approval of pipelines by unfairly preventing the public from sharing their opinions.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me; I am honored to represent the constituents of the Fourth District of Massachusetts. Please feel free to call or write my office with future questions or concerns. Additionally, I invite you to visit my website at www.kennedy.house.gov or follow me on Facebook to learn more about my work at home and in Washington.
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