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State officials say the project would lower utility bills for around 600,000 Massachusetts customers.
Gov. Maura Healey is urging the Trump administration to move quickly on the federal review of a proposed expansion of the Algonquin gas pipeline, a project her administration says could lower energy costs for 600,000 Massachusetts customers.
The Reliable Affordable Resilient Enhancement Project (RARE) would expand the existing pipeline system and bring additional natural gas supplies into Massachusetts, potentially saving customers an estimated $40 million annually.
In a letter sent Friday to U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Healey asked federal officials to establish clear timelines for required reviews and permits, coordinate among federal agencies, and dedicate resources to keeping the project on schedule.
“I’ve been clear that we need to bring more energy supply into Massachusetts with an all-of-the-above approach that includes solar, wind, storage, nuclear, geothermal, hydro, and gas,” Healey said in a statement released Friday. “Massachusetts is moving forward with its review, and I’m asking the federal government to do the same — move quickly and keep this project on track so customers can see the savings.”
In January, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities approved two 10-year agreements between Eversource and Algonquin to deliver the additional gas.
The proposal is now undergoing federal environmental review through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
In her letter to Wright, Healey said that a faster review process shouldn’t come at the expense of a thorough environmental review or engagement with the affected communities.
“Moving quickly does not mean cutting corners,” Healey wrote.
According to the administration, much of the construction would involve upgrades to existing infrastructure rather than building an entirely new pipeline.
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