The CEO of utility Eversource said Monday that he wrote a letter to President Joe Biden as he expressed serious concerns about New England’s ability to weather a harsh winter. Eversource CEO Joe Nolan said supply issues mean New England may not have enough natural gas to heat the region’s homes in cold winters. He said global fuel prices had climbed due to the war in Ukraine and Russia’s decision to shut down gas to Europe. That has created a global scramble for natural gas, especially liquefied natural gas shipped on tankers, which New England relies on during the coldest months of the year, he said. Nolan wrote a letter to Biden last week saying he was deeply concerned about the potentially severe impact winter energy shortages could have on people and businesses in New England. “This is a very, very important, very challenging time for the people of New England and I want everyone to know that I worry about our 4.2 million customers every day and I will make sure we have everything we need Great service to them, that’s the real reason to send this letter to the president,” Nolan said. Nolan mentioned that the federal government has emergency powers, such as the use of the federal Electricity Act, the Jones Act, the Natural Gas Policy Act and the Defense Production Act. “When Puerto Rico was devastated, the president did so. He was able to provide relief through the Jones Act, which allows foreign ships to carry essential supplies in and out of U.S. ports,” Nolan said. “This is no exception,” Nolan said. Eversource has stepped up its investment in clean energy. “But right now, we’re in a very vulnerable state,” Nolan said. “We’ve been through a transition period of several years, and we have to make sure we can bridge that gap and get access to the promised land of clean, reliable, renewable energy.” News 9 has reached out to the White House for comment, but has yet to hear back. Don Cres, a New Hampshire consumer advocate, agrees that if the cold period is prolonged, there may not be enough natural gas to run all the plants in the area. “It’s not a great cause for panic or worry, there are things we can do to make sure the lights stay on,” Kress said. Kreis recommends bundling to be as energy efficient as possible and paying attention to how much energy is used in the early evening when demand is high.
The CEO of utility Eversource said Monday that he wrote a letter to President Joe Biden as he expressed serious concerns about New England’s ability to weather a harsh winter.
Eversource CEO Joe Nolan said supply issues mean New England may not have enough natural gas to heat homes in the area during cold winters.
He said global fuel prices had climbed due to the war in Ukraine and Russia’s decision to shut down gas to Europe. That has created a global scramble for natural gas, especially liquefied natural gas shipped on tankers, which New England relies on during the coldest months of the year, he said.
Nolan wrote a letter to Biden last week saying he was deeply concerned about the potentially severe impact winter energy shortages could have on people and businesses in New England.
“This is a very, very important, very challenging time for the people of New England and I want everyone to know that I worry about our 4.2 million customers every day and I’m going to make sure we have everything we need Excellent service to them, and that’s really why this letter is being sent to the president,” Nolan said.
Nolan mentioned that the federal government has emergency powers, such as the use of the federal Electricity Act, the Jones Act, the Natural Gas Policy Act and the Defense Production Act.
“When Puerto Rico was devastated, the president did so. He was able to provide relief through the Jones Act, which allows foreign ships to carry essential supplies in and out of U.S. ports,” Nolan said. “It’s no different.”
Nolan said Eversource has stepped up its investment in clean energy.
“But right now, we’re in a very vulnerable state,” Nolan said. “We’ve been through a transition for a few years, and we have to make sure we can bridge that gap and get the promised land of clean, reliable, renewable energy.”
News 9 has reached out to the White House for comment but has yet to hear back.
Don Kreis, a New Hampshire consumer advocate, agrees that if the cold period is prolonged, there may not be enough natural gas to run all the plants in the area.
“It’s not a cause for panic or high concern, there are things we can do to make sure the lights stay on,” Kress said.
Kreis recommends bundling to be as energy efficient as possible and paying attention to how much energy is used in the early evening when demand is high.