Poll Finds Northeasterners Strongly Support Expanding Pipelines and Related Energy Infrastructure to Ensure Stable, Affordable Supplies

Results show that candidates’ position on energy issues,
infrastructure and development will play a significant role in upcoming
elections

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–$solar #CEA–An overwhelming majority of voters in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire and New York support energy delivery of transportation fuels
and the use of natural gas infrastructure – including the approval and
construction of more pipelines in the region, according to a new poll
from Consumer
Energy Alliance (CEA).

Among the most important of the survey’s findings are that:

• 97 percent of respondents agree that affordable, reliable energy is
  important for Northeastern families and businesses.
• 92 percent agree that maintaining and delivering adequate supplies of
  affordable fuels is necessary for consumers and businesses.
• 88 percent that having sufficient supplies of natural gas is important
  in keeping electricity and home heating affordable and reliable.

The polling was done to examine how much support energy infrastructure
and pipelines have throughout the U.S. Northeast, home to several very
high-profile public debates and other key energy issues among voters –
and what role each or all could play in the 2018 elections.

Other key findings from this poll include:

• 81 percent support “ensuring the Northeastern U.S. has enough energy
  capacity to meet the demand for electricity.”
• 74 percent agree that “a balanced mix of renewables, natural gas, and
  nuclear is important to keep electricity affordable and reliable.”
• 76 percent support “generating electricity using natural gas and
  fuels.”
• 70 percent recognize that electricity prices are higher in the
  Northeast than the rest of the country.
• 58 percent approve of “expanding pipelines to deliver transportation
  fuels for consumers and markets.”
• This poll’s findings closely mirror what CEA found in a similar
  poll last summer in Massachusetts.

“Northeastern governors, legislators, and regulators should pay close
attention to these results. Despite what you are hearing from the
loudest anti-energy voices, the vast majority across New England and New
York want a rational, balanced debate that protects, maintains, and
grows steady supplies of affordable and reliable energy made possible by
pipelines, “CEA President David Holt said. “Families, small
businesses, and manufacturers in these states are struggling with
exorbitant electric rates and need vital pipeline infrastructure to
protect their livelihoods and keep the economy moving.”

The poll found that 86 percent of voters in Connecticut, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire and New York say energy will be important in how they vote
in next year’s election cycle.

Holt added: “Voters made it loud and clear that if you are a candidate
for office, think long and hard before endorsing policies that don’t
support the safe, responsible development of energy infrastructure and
rational, all-of-the-above policies.”

There is one area of concern: Per the poll’s findings, there’s an
apparent disconnect or lack of understanding from respondents as to how
pipelines and other related energy infrastructure impact fuel and
electricity prices. Only 6 percent of respondents identified a lack
pipeline infrastructure as a key driver in the region’s high electric
rates.

“Independent grid regulators have repeatedly stressed that a lack of
pipeline infrastructure on high energy demand days not only puts
reliability at risk, but increases upward pressure on spot market
prices.” Holt said. “We will re-double our outreach efforts to ensure
consumers and families in these states are better aware of how pipelines
impact their bottom lines.”

Survey documents can be found
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 450,000 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.

Contacts

Consumer Energy Alliance
Emily Haggstrom, 720-582-0242
[email protected]