The Public Utilities Commission will rule Thursday on whether to dismiss National Grid’s proposal to charge electricity customers for the cost of new natural gas pipelines. Protestors who oppose fossil fuels are expected at the meeting.
This proposal is related to Access Northeast, a project that would affect electricity ratepayers in several New England states. National Grid, Eversource Energy and Spectra Energy are all partners in this project. They say the region needs additional gas pipeline capacity to stabilize electricity prices.
The Conservation Law Foundation filed a motion to dismiss this proposal in Rhode Island, after the Massachusetts Supreme Court struck down a version in the Bay State. The court considered it too risky for ratepayers.
Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Daniel McKee agrees. He took a position against adding more gas pipelines in the region if electricity ratepayers are forced to bear the cost.
