Northeastern Natural Gas Infrastructure = Win-Win-Win Opportunity

Mark Green
Posted April 11, 2025

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright is optimistic work could move forward this year on a pipeline to bring natural gas from energy-rich Pennsylvania to New York and New England: 

“It's just such a win, win, win. This will lower costs for people in the New York area, for New England. Not just heating costs, which is a big deal … It’d also lower electricity prices – which, of course, everyone would cheer for that as well – and allow businesses in New England or in the New York City area to expand and grow their businesses and grow more jobs.” 

Hard to argue with that. Winners seem to be everywhere from simply building the infrastructure to take natural gas from where it is abundant – Pennsylvania – to where it is needed by families and businesses – the Northeast.  

A recent S&P Global study found the Marcellus and Utica shale regions of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio have enough natural gas to meet nationwide demand for 17 years. In the past, unfortunately, political agendas have blocked pipeline construction – and commonsense.  

Consumers have paid the price, literally. Residents in New York and the New England states have paid electric utility prices far above the national average. Below, a sampling of average electricity prices to residential customers in January, during peak heating season, and last August during peak cooling season, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA):

Again, it’s hard to identify losers in a scenario where new or increased natural gas pipeline capacity is put in place to bring more American natural gas to the region. S&P Global estimated that reduced natural gas utility rates, due to increased supply into the region, could produce average savings of $5.5 billion annually. From the report: 

“Expanding egress capacity from the giant Marcellus supply by about 6 billion cubic feet per day could reduce January prices [in Boston and New York City] by 20% and 30%, respectively, from 2028 to 2040 (17-27% annualized), resulting in cumulative savings of $76 billion for consumers by 2040.” 

Wholesale natural gas prices in Boston and New York City could fall by an average of 27% and 17%, respectively, as per the S&P Global study. Pipeline-driven price reductions could save residential natural gas customers in New England $1,435 through 2040, the study said. 

Politics has blocked regional progress for years. But maybe that is changing.  

The governors of New York and Connecticut have talked with the Trump administration about infrastructure and bringing more natural gas into their states. The Washington Post reported that the governor of Maine, which has a goal of using 100% renewable energy by 2040, is resisting proposals to ban new natural gas infrastructure. Massachusetts is not yet onboard, even though a recent poll showed that likely Bay State voters prefer natural gas pipeline expansion over other options.   

“They’re burning more oil and burning more coal in New England than ever before because they refuse to put a natural gas pipeline in, and their prices are going up,” former U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, who chairs a group trying to build natural gas support, told the Post. “These politicians need to change, or they won’t be holding their offices very long.” 

Political support is key for pipeline companies, which in the past have seen politicians and regulators stymie projects in the region. The question is whether state leaders are willing to buck continued opposition to progress from environmental groups and others. 

Wright hopes pragmatism – and perhaps cresting consumer unhappiness over utility bills – will prevail: 

“No one loses by this, but silly politics of several years ago stopped these in the first go round. But I think it's quite likely these pipelines will be under construction before this year is over.”