Group Finds Access to More Affordable, Reliable Supplies of Energy is
Critical to New York’s Families, Small Businesses and Households
Consumer
Energy Alliance (CEA) today released a report titled “Pipelines
and their Benefits to New York” at a breakfast discussion on the
Future of Natural Gas and Economic Development in New York, hosted by
New Yorkers for Affordable Energy. Faced with a new everyday reality of
energy insecurity for many in the U.S., CEA’s report examines the
benefits of pipelines to New York - specifically highlighting the need
for affordable energy supplies to keep the daily lives of families and
businesses across New York moving.
CEA’s report examines the benefits of pipelines, and the availability of
fuels like natural gas, outside of the traditional scope of jobs and
economic growth. That’s because CEA believes the benefits of pipelines
should also be examined for their cost reductions and the critical
service the energy they transport provides to New York’s families, small
businesses and households – especially people living on the margins of
society or even paycheck-to-paycheck.
Highlights from the report include:
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Consumers and households in New York already pay 44 percent more for
electricity than the national average – even though neighboring
Pennsylvania has ample supplies of energy and pipeline infrastructure
available to benefit New Yorkers.
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In January 2018, spot market prices in the New York City region jumped
to a record high of $140.25 for natural gas, as compared to the
average natural gas spot market price for New York in 2017 was $3.08.
New Yorkers were subjected to prices that were $137 higher due to
self-inflicted capacity constraints created by their own elected
officials.
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In New York, natural gas alone provides nearly 46 percent of the
state’s electricity needs. As the state continues to rely more and
more on natural gas and building or expanding gas-fired power plants,
that number is expected to rise to 56 percent of New York’s electric
needs.
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74 percent of energy generation for downstate residents is provided by
fossil fuels – and natural gas is used by more than half of all New
Yorkers to heat their homes.
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Natural gas is the foundational building block for the state’s
manufacturing sector. New York had over 194,400 jobs that were tied to
energy-intensive companies and made up nearly 55 percent of the
state’s manufacturing sector.
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There is a significant economic impact to New York from the numerous
denied, delayed and proposed pipeline projects in the state.
“This report highlights the often-overlooked benefits New York’s
communities are receiving because of the U.S. energy revolution,
enhanced infrastructure, and pipelines,” Mike Butler, CEA’s Mid-Atlantic
Director, said. “However, New York families, businesses, and households
will not be able to realize the full potential of these benefits until
natural gas plays a larger role in the state to offset intermittency
issues and the physical realities of the state’s electric grid.”
“We believe in a balanced, constructive, all-of-the-above energy policy
that utilizes all of our resources – conventional and renewable. CEA
continues to urge policymakers in New York to embrace the benefits and
growth potential that energy delivery brings to communities across the
state. Everyone from working mothers trying to pay their bills, to small
retailers who spend a large percentage of their revenue on electricity
and meet their bottom lines – we all have a stake in making sure we meet
our energy needs and it should be a top priority for our policymakers to
ensure we do.”
To view the report, click
here.
About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) brings together families, farmers, small
businesses, distributors, producers and manufacturers to support
America's energy future. With more than 500,000 members nationwide, our
mission is to help ensure stable prices and energy security for
households across the country. We believe energy development is
something that touches everyone in our nation, and thus it is necessary
for all of us to actively engage in the conversation about how we
develop our diverse energy resources and energy's importance to the
economy. Learn more at ConsumerEnergyAlliance.org.
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Copyright Business Wire 2018
Source: Business Wire
(May 23, 2018 - 10:11 AM EDT)
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