Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), a national consumer advocacy organization with more than 20,000 members in New England, delivered more than 4,500 letters from energy consumers across Massachusetts to 40 senators and three House members urging them to oppose an amendment included in the Energy Diversity Bill that would prevent vital pipeline infrastructure from being built in the state and risk increasing electricity costs for families and small businesses.
The letters, delivered by CEA, urge Senate and House members to agree to legislative language recently approved by the House – a bipartisan approach that would allow for much-needed electricity infrastructure expansion, continued renewable energy development, and a pathway to reducing Massachusetts’ staggering electricity prices, which are among the highest in the nation. CEA believes that an all-of-the-above energy strategy offers consumers the most choice, lowest cost, and, ultimately, best serves all families – especially those on fixed incomes.
“The simple truth is Massachusetts’ energy consumers – families, small businesses, and manufacturers – cannot continue to pay among the highest energy costs in this country,” said CEA Executive Vice President Michael Whatley. “Consumers want our elected leaders in Boston to develop a responsible, balanced energy policy by promoting diversity in energy resources that are clean, reliable, and affordable.”
In a recent poll conducted for CEA, a sample of registered voters overwhelmingly supported electricity generation from renewable sources (83 percent) and natural gas power plants (73 percent), clearly and convincingly showing that New England voters are concerned with clean, reliable, and cost efficient energy sources. By agreeing to the consumer-friendly House language, Massachusetts legislators can continue to support an all-of-the-above energy solution that is beneficial to families and businesses who currently pay less for their electricity than only Hawaii and Alaska.
Whatley added, “Consumers in New England are essentially on an island with what they pay in energy costs, but they don’t have to be if our legislators support policy that is beneficial to their constituents.”
