Washington, D.C. – In this time of increased economic turmoil caused by the COVID-19 virus, Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) today expressed concern that blocking energy infrastructure projects, such as the PennEast Pipeline, threatens the future of America’s energy reliability and supply. The nation’s leading consumer energy advocate also shared concerns that this action could increase costs of energy for consumers and create significant economic hardship – causing disproportionate harm to those on low and fixed incomes, as well as individuals, families and businesses with thin margins.
CEA’s “friend of the court” amicus brief urges the Supreme Court to grant the PennEast Pipeline Company’s petition to review a decision made by the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that would block a pipeline project needed to support energy infrastructure, protect vulnerable consumer populations, facilitate economic growth, and continue to reduce emissions in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and across the region.
After filing the brief, CEA President David Holt released the following statement:
“Energy and its derivative products help make up just about everything that touches our lives on a daily basis, including the clothes we wear, the cars we drive, the shampoo we use, the carpet we walk on, and the medication we take. Energy helps power every imaginable American industry, and it’s a must-have ingredient for a robust, fast growing economy – perhaps the most important ingredient.”
“Now more than ever, all of us need to recognize just how vital pipelines are for getting transportation fuels to the consumer and that about half of the of the homes in the U.S. use natural gas as their primary heating fuel and that 22 percent of homes in the Northeast use heating oil. Eliminating the primary transportation method for such an essential energy source will threaten the reliability of our country’s electric grid and create more economic hardship for the 43 million living on a fixed income or below the poverty line who already spend too much of their disposable income for energy.”
“Despite the tremendous benefits and critical importance of energy production, court decisions, like the one held by the Third Circuit, and the theatrics of unrealistic activists, continue working to eliminate the production of safe, affordable sources of energy without offering any solutions that will help meet consumer demand while also supporting our emissions goals.”
“One thing is for sure, natural gas and our country’s pipeline network plays a critical role in powering of our homes, businesses and fueling the economy. Policymakers, regulators, and leaders must continue to come together in support our nation’s homegrown energy production and pipeline infrastructure to ensure our economy continues to thrive and hard-working families, seniors, households, and small businesses can continue to enjoy the benefits that low prices are bringing to our communities.”
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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
