The flawed report is meant to scare families and businesses away from solutions that would cut carbon pollution and keep New Englanders tied down to polluting fuels. Photo: Shutterstock/Eyematrix
November 19, 2024 (Boston, MA) – Massachusetts is on the verge of enacting a new law that will improve the environment and lives of people living and working in the Bay State by curbing dirty fossil fuel pollution and encouraging more clean energy. But a group of right-wing, anti-clean energy organizations have released a flawed report meant to scare families and businesses away from solutions that would cut carbon pollution and keep New Englanders tied down to polluting fuels.
“Groups like the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance are part of a well-funded network working to block the upgrade to clean energy,” said Caitlin Peale Sloan, Vice President of Conservation Law Foundation Massachusetts. “These groups, almost all of which are influenced by fossil fuel interests, are using their resources to protect the profits of polluting industries at the expense of our climate, public health, and future. Their fear-mongering, lies, and scare tactics don’t just mislead us—they put our families and communities at risk. The reality is we all deserve access to more affordable energy, cleaner air, and a healthier future. These organizations are recycling a tired refrain we’ve heard every time New England takes bold steps toward 100 percent clean energy. It’s time to stop letting corporate interests try to bully us out of what’s best for our wallets, health, and future.”
The coalition falsely claims that clean energy efforts would cost families and businesses more money than fossil fuels – disproven time and time again. Most recently, Synapse Energy Economics Inc. released a report in which they find that offshore wind is far cheaper than natural gas. For example, the Synapse report found that nine gigawatts of wind energy by 2030 would, on average, save New Englanders $630 million on electricity bills annually. It would also keep $1.57 billion within the region’s economy that we would have otherwise lost buying and importing natural gas from other regions or other countries.
CLF experts are available for comment.
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