Eversource says pipeline deal would lower electric rates, but ratepayers will be charged

[unhappycamper]

http://www.wickedlocal.com/article/20160226/NEWS/160226624/0/breaking_ajax



Protestors state their case outside South Station Thursday.

Eversource says pipeline deal would lower electric rates, but ratepayers will be charged
By Rachel Riley/Daily News Correspondent
Posted Feb. 26, 2016 at 10:45 PM

MetroWest’s leading electricity provider has petitioned the state to allow a 20-year contract with a natural gas industry titan that the utility said would lower energy bills but charge ratepayers for a massive pipeline project - a deal opponents call unfair and unwise.

In December, Eversource, which owns NSTAR and Western Massachusetts Electric, filed the petition with the Department of Public Utilities to contract with Spectra Energy in the development of the Access Northeast Pipeline.

The Access Northeast Pipeline, a $3 billion project, would link and extend existing natural gas pipelines to transport natural gas from Pennsylvania throughout the region. The natural gas can then be used to run turbines to generate electricity.

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“Using an electrical utility tariff to help pay for natural gas pipelines provides an unfair competitive advantage for imported natural gas versus locally sourced renewable energy,” Marlborough City Councilor Dave Doucette told a DPU hearing Thursday in Boston. “Such an agreement will benefit the investors and stockholders of utility and natural gas companies while the state’s ratepayers pay the bill.”

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Gov. Charlie does not like nor will he support renewable energy, much the same as Deval Patrick. Charlie wants to bring in more gas lines and buy Canadian power.