Replacing Nuclear Plant with Natural Gas? That’s a Solution?04 Feb
With the closing of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, a carbon-free source of electricity, Massachusetts may be unable to reduce green house gas emissions, especially if natural gas-fired electric generation is a replacement for the Pilgrim plant. The Conservation Law Foundation is pursuing this matter. However, they may have neglected natural gas fugitive emissions.
Conservation Law Foundation: “Massachusetts officials will go to court this week to defend against a lawsuit saying they are not doing enough to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The Conservation Law Foundation will argue before the state’s highest court that the administrations of Gov. Charlie Baker (R) and his predecessor Gov. Deval Patrick (D) have not done enough to meet the targets prescribed by Massachusetts’ 2012 climate change law, the Boston Globe reports.”
Natural Gas Fugitive Emissions: Greater quantities of natural gas are being produced for electricity generation in New England. This gas contributes to the greenhouse warming effect far more than carbon dioxide. However, this gas is flowing through aged pipelines, leading to enormous fugitive emissions…Gas companies in Massachusetts own and operate one of America’s oldest natural gas pipeline distribution systems, ranking sixth among state systems in the number of miles of main distribution pipelines made of cast iron or bare steel. These companies have replaced less than 4 percent of their leak- prone pipes per year while billing Massachusetts ratepayers an estimated $640 million to $1.5 billion from 2000-2011 for unaccounted for gas.”
Tags: CLF, Conservation Law Foundation, Fugitive Gas Emissions, Greenhouse Gas, Massachusetts, Methane, SBIR Consultant