Report affirms natural gas’ essential role in the state
NEEDHAM—As the state continues to move toward emissions reductions and an increasing role for renewables, a new report from the Northeast Gas Association is raising awareness of the importance of natural gas infrastructure to Massachusetts’ economy and its essential role in providing energy.
The 2017 State of the Industry Report: The Economic Benefits of Natural Gas in Massachusetts notes that natural gas distribution companies have added 200,000 residential customers since 2000, employ more than 4,000 workers directly and pay more than $100 million annually in city and town property taxes. The companies have also cut their greenhouse gas emissions by two-thirds since 1990.
In addition, the report found:
The percentage of homeowners choosing natural gas for heat has increased from 38 percent in 1990 to 51 percent.
More than 65 percent of the electricity generated in Massachusetts in 2015 came from power plants fueled by natural gas. That percentage will increase because the coal-powered Brayton Point plant in Somerset shut down in June and the nuclear-powered Pilgrim Station in Plymouth is scheduled to close in 2019.
Natural gas utilities and distribution companies employ members of 23 union locals and support hundreds of additional jobs for outside vendors and contractors.
Natural gas distribution companies support dozens of charities and nonprofit organizations in the state with financial contributions and volunteer time.
Greater efficiency and replacement of old pipelines mean that natural gas contributions to greenhouse gas emissions now account for just 1.1 percent of all greenhouse gases in the state, down from 2.6 percent in 1990.
Massachusetts utilities spend far more than the national average on natural gas efficiency programs. The state accounts for 1.6 percent of the natural gas consumed in the nation, but 13.3 percent of all natural gas efficiency spending through the utilities’ Mass Save programs.
“Massachusetts continues to see rising demand for natural gas in homes and businesses, as a clean and affordable energy option,” said Tom Kiley, president and CEO of NGA. “We need to ensure that the natural gas system can meet that demand, through both system modernization and—where needed—system expansion.”
The 32-page report was compiled from various consumer, infrastructure, environmental and industry reports and is part of the association’s Massachusetts Energy Reliability Awareness Campaign. Throughout the campaign, NGA will work to encourage implementation of a long-term state energy strategy that balances the need for natural gas and renewable energy resources, including modernization of the natural gas distribution system.