LANSING, MI – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) noted that in her response to the State of the Union, Gov Whitmer spoke to the nation about the financial struggle millions of Americans face each month, specifically after paying for transportation and energy costs – CEA agrees – yet her solution won’t help the problem.
“Governor Whitmer properly recognized the financial burden transportation and energy costs place on the 1.66 million households across Michigan who already cannot afford basic necessities. We do, however, question why she would then saddle these same families with an increased energy burden by not voicing her support for the modernization of Line 5 and its corresponding Tunnel Project,” said Chris Ventura, CEA’s Midwest Executive Director.
“Independent, state-commissioned studies have already warned that transportation costs will increase more than $121 million per year if Line 5 is shut down. And, this cost will be borne most painfully by those who already have to make the painful choices of scraping together enough money to pay for housing, child care, health care, and putting food on the table,” Ventura said.
“We all agree that we need to protect our environment – both for our children and future generations. Pipelines are the safest, most environmentally responsible way to transport the fuel that drives Michigan forward every day,” he said.
“Now is the time to protect our seniors living on fixed incomes, the working poor and families across Michigan from the impending increases in energy costs. Now is the time for all of us to come together to move Michigan forward by supporting her constituents and not placing a bigger burden on them then they already have,” Ventura said.
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About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is the leading consumer advocate for energy, bringing together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers, and manufacturers to support America’s environmentally sustainable energy future. With more than 550,000 members nationwide, our mission is to help ensure stable prices and energy security for households and businesses across the country. CEA works daily to encourage people across the nation to seek sensible, realistic, and environmentally responsible solutions to meet our energy needs. Learn more at ConsumerEnergyAlliance.org.
Contact:
Emily Haggstrom
P: 720-582-0242
ehaggstrom@consumerenergyalliance.org