Relief from high energy prices now farther away for Bay State consumers

WASHINGTON, August 17, 2016 – Massachusetts Petroleum Council Associate Director Beth Treseder called today’s decision, by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to prohibit electric ratepayer-funded natural gas capacity purchases by utilities, a step in the wrong direction for Massachusetts consumers.

“Today’s decision by the Supreme Judicial Court will not help Massachusetts consumers,” said Treseder. “Inexpensive, clean-burning natural gas is so close yet so far away for Bay Staters, who have paid some of the highest energy costs in the nation. This decision will not give consumers relief in energy prices, potentially causing them to needlessly spend millions more each year for electricity and natural gas as compared to neighboring states. Massachusetts residents deserve greater access to this abundant resource, in order to help reduce electricity costs and carbon emissions, grow the economy and ensure reliable electricity service.”

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 650 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 30 million Americans.