OPINION: Pipeline will reduce household energy costs

OPINION: Pipeline will reduce household energy costs

by Kevin Doyle

With fringe activist groups continuing to stall energy infrastructure like the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, it’s more important than ever for families and businesses to understand the impact of energy policy on their wallet.

Then it will become clear how ideologically driven pipeline opponents are committing an energy injustice on families and businesses.

Efficient infrastructure helps lower energy costs. In fact, between 2006 and 2016, a report from the Consumer Energy Alliance found that N.C. families and businesses saved almost $12 billion thanks to energy from clean, reliable natural gas.

With North Carolinians spending nearly $3,000 to meet their energy needs in 2017, this means that those living at or below the poverty line spent almost one of every four of their dollars on energy expenses. This is unacceptable.

Besides generating jobs and increasing tax revenue, pipelines help lower household energy expenses. It’s basic economics — a greater supply of natural gas drives the price down for everyone. Pipelines are the most secure way to move oil and natural gas — they’re four and a half times safer than via road or rail.

As our state’s industry and economy grows, it’s time to stop playing politics. North Carolinians need and deserve energy justice.

Kevin Doyle, Washington

The writer is North Carolina state director for the Consumer Energy Alliance.Sean McGarvey is the president of the North America’s Building Trades Unions and is a glazier by trade. Contact him at: comms@nabtu.org

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