Study Shows Consequences from Failure to Build Energy Infrastructure in New England
Failure to act would result in higher energy costs, lost jobs, less disposable income
BOSTON — New England is facing significant economic consequences if electricity and natural gas infrastructure is not built over the next five years, according to a study commissioned by the New England Coalition for Affordable Energy. The coalition is a newly formed organization whose founding members include business and labor groups advocating for more affordable energy for the region’s consumers and businesses.
The study, conducted by Boston consulting firms La Capra Associates and Economic Development Research Group, found that failure to expand the region’s energy infrastructure will lead to higher energy costs for households and businesses between 2016 and 2020 of $5.4 billion, a reduction in disposable income that could top $12 billion, and 167,600 jobs lost or not created. These impacts would ramp up from 2016 through 2020, with similar or larger impacts expected beyond that timeframe if infrastructure is not added.