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This week, APGA submitted comments to Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, as well as Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito and Kathleen Theoharides, who is the Secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. The Baker-Polito Administration issued their Interim Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2030 (2030 CECP) earlier this year, and APGA felt it was important to support its Massachusetts members by responding. With some of the policies being proposed, there is the opportunity for significant impact to public natural gas utilities in the state. APGA’s input highlighted that: Massachusetts’ community-owned gas utilities are unique; Massachusetts’ community-owned gas utilities ensure energy resiliency; Massachusetts’ community-owned gas utilities deliver affordability; and Massachusetts’ community-owned gas utilities play an important role in a low carbon future. Throughout these four points, AGPA stressed that electrification is not the only solution for the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions the state is aiming to achieve. The pipeline assets and workforce of the Massachusetts public natural gas utilities can help in the pursuit of a clean energy future. The feedback submitted by APGA can be found here.

Similar to the action taken responding to the 2030 CECP, if other members think it is appropriate for APGA to engage to help inform policymakers of the importance of public natural gas utilities, please contact APGA staff.

For questions on this article, please contact Stuart Saulters of APGA staff by phone at 202-544-1334 or by email at ssaulters@apga.org.