Two New England energy companies in surprising alliance with fossil fuel lobby, undercutting climate targets
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In Massachusetts, a state that's set aggressive climate targets, cooperation and buy-in from utilities is a pillar of how the state plans to get there. That makes it 'incredibly troubling' that both Eversource, one of the state's largest gas and electric utilities, and Avangrid, offshore wind developer and the parent company of Berkshire Gas, became members of the alliance last year, said Kyle Murray, Massachusetts program director for the advocacy group the Acadia Center.
In response to questions from the Globe, both New England utilities defended their decision to join the alliance. They also noted that the costs for their membership are being covered by shareholders — not ratepayers. Neither company would disclose how much they pay the alliance as members.
Eversource spokesperson William Hinkle said the company joined through its New Hampshire operating company and that it did so with an eye toward the alliance's 'diversified approach to renewable energy development' including offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine.
At Avangrid, company spokesperson Leo Rosales said the company joined because 'we support their efforts to advocate for greater transparency and consumer education on energy bills.' He added that 'a membership does not reflect the company's endorsement of an organization's entire platform.'
Both companies have been vocal supporters of the clean energy transition in New England and played key roles in guiding new climate-friendly policies. Eversource even
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So,
the decision to join the Consumer Energy Alliance perhaps illustrates how complicated the business of energy is in the United States, with utilities operating across state lines and adhering to different laws and objectives.
'At a time when we know we need to be transitioning off of fossil fuels as soon as is practicable, these companies have instead opted to join with a group dedicated to frustrating that aim, and indeed directly at odds with some of the positive initiatives that these companies have been advancing in the Northeast' like geothermal networks, offshore wind transmission, and more, Murray said.
The Consumer Energy Alliance was launched in 2006 by HBW Resources, a lobbying group that represents the fossil fuel industry.
The alliance has done some advocacy for offshore wind, including
Bryson Hull, a spokesperson for the alliance and vice president of strategic/crisis communications at HBW Resources, said via email that the alliance is proud of the work it has done across the country to 'defend Americans' freedom to choose the energy they want and need,' including supporting wind.
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But critics argue that limited efforts to bolster offshore wind are essentially a 'fig leaf for Consumer Energy Alliance's main operation.' The alliance's
said Itai Vardi, a research and communications manager at the investigative research organization Energy and Policy Institute.
As of 2020, the alliance had roughly 10 ongoing local and state campaigns to improve the optics around natural gas, according to a document obtained by the Energy and Policy Institute, repeatedly resulting in controversy.
In 2023, the group was investigated by the Ohio attorney general's office after
said a contractor was to blame and
A recent
But here in the Northeast, the group has been largely quiet after an earlier plan to raise the profile of gas appears to have failed.
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That plan, presented by the alliance at a gas industry conference in 2019, included highlighting the 'extreme costs of winter home heating' and continuing its '
Despite
those efforts,
Massachusetts went on to pass climate bills to move past fossil fuels, and many New England states did as well.
Some local supporters of clean energy worry that with Trump back in the White House, the alliance may see an opening to again try to take aim at New England's climate policies. And having support from two local utilities adds wind to its sails.
Avangrid's involvement with the alliance also goes deeper than just membership — Avangrid chief executive Pedro Azagra also joined the board of the National Hispanic Energy Council, which was formed with support from the alliance. The National Hispanic Energy Council has vocally opposed California's
Elizabeth Turnbull Henry, president of the Environmental League of Massachusetts, said she hopes that, as members, Eversource and Avangrid will 'use their power to moderate and improve' the Consumer Energy Alliance platform.
If not, she said, 'joining creates a credibility problem.
'
Sabrina Shankman can be reached at
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