Bianca Sanchez, bianca.sanchez@sierraclub.org
BOSTON, MA -- On December 9, the Department of Public Utilities issued an order approving the petition of NSTAR Gas Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to build a new gas pipeline to the Town of Douglas and to build out a distribution system to begin service in the town, despite gas expansion being plainly inconsistent with the Commonwealth’s climate laws, which require Massachusetts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
In response to the order, Sierra Club issued the following statement:
"At a time when the climate crisis is more dire than ever, expansion of fossil gas infrastructure is the wrong choice for Massachusetts and will lock the Commonwealth into burning more fossil fuels when we must instead be reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Sierra Club Massachusetts State Director Deb Pasternak. “In addition to being inconsistent with the Global Warming Solutions Act, gas system expansion makes little sense when the Department of Public Utilities is actively planning to transition the gas system in the Future of Gas docket in D.P.U. 20-80. Gas expansion is also a bad deal for ratepayers, who will likely be paying for this infrastructure for years to come even as the gas system becomes no longer used and useful.
“Governor-Elect Healey’s administration has the opportunity to course-correct and to set Massachusetts on the right path toward decarbonization. The incoming administration must not repeat mistakes that hinder Massachusetts’ progress toward decarbonization. Instead, the new administration should ensure that agency decision-making is consistent with the Global Warming Solutions Act and must plan for a managed transition off of the gas system and toward decarbonization.
“To get the Commonwealth on track, the incoming administration should prioritize ending expansion of the gas system and adopting a statewide all-electric building code. The administration should ramp-up heat pump deployment to move households away from fossil fuels that are the cause of high energy bills this winter and prioritize funding to ensure low income households and environmental justice populations are not left behind in the transition. This transition will require coordinated planning and action across state agencies that is centered on equity and engagement to set us on the right path toward decarbonization.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.