Bianchi Maintains Support For Pipeline Despite Complaint
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Mayor Daniel Bianchi is in favor of the proposed pipeline. |
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Kinder Morgan's Northeast Energy Direct project is currently in the federal permitting phase and the mayor has been the only elected official to vocalize support for the natural gas line that will cut through the Berkshires.
"I weighed in on this as opposed to not because everything seemed to be one sided. There weren't any discussions on the economic implications of this and that concerns me," Bianchi said on Tuesday.
"A few days after the City Council decides to vote against it, Western Mass Electric decides on a 29 percent increase in rates and that is directly related to the cost of gas which is directly related to the constraints of the pipeline."
The project stems from the decommissioning of coal and nuclear energy plants in New England, revealing a shortage of energy. Kinder Morgan's project aims to fill that need with natural gas. But the proposals has trigger strong response. Communities and groups through the Berkshires — including Pittsfield's City Council — have objected to it for an array of reasons.
One of those groups opposing the project, Berkshire Environmental Action Team has filed an ethical complaint against Bianchi. The mayor has ties to the energy company Global Montello as a former salesman and account manager. The mayor says he still reviews contracts as a consultant for the company.
The mayor said he has no connections with Kinder Morgan, does the consulting outside of his role as mayor and there is no conflict of interest. He says the impact on energy costs through a denial of this project could hurt the local economy.
"I just want to have a good, balanced, non-emotional discussion about this so people know what we are up against. We keep talking about a county that is aging and is losing populations. Well, the thing is, if we don't provide opportunities for young people to stay here in an area that has historically been strong from us — which is the applied materials industry — we are going to be sitting here in 20 years saying, 'Gee, what happened.'"
He cites the local applied materials industry that is a heavy electrical user as companies that would benefit from lower costs. The mayor said he is competing to attract companies that could easily go to New York state because of the lower energy costs. Bianchi says energy costs weigh more on a businesses decision on location than taxes do.
"They are electric and they are buying the electricity from these plants that generate their electricity from natural gas. If they become uncompetitive, that concerns me," Bianchi said.
That need for natural gas isn't unknown. The governors of six New England states have cited the need for natural gas. On Monday, Gov. Deval Patrick again said he believes the state needs more natural gas.
"I think it is probably necessary that we have additional natural gas as a transition to a clean energy future. I'm not just sure if this project is the way to do it," Patrick said on Monday.
The governor says he sees the anti-pipeline signs in his town of Richmond. But, he isn't on board with that position. He says there could be other pipeline projects that may make more sense for the state though.
"There is a long process for approving such a project. I've told you before, I am a little skeptical of this particular project. I may part ways with some of the opponents who think we should have no natural gas in the commonwealth. I don't think I am there yet," Gov. Deval Patrick said. "I'm not sure this project makes the most sense of those that are proposed."
Bianchi also cites the city's energy usage as a reason for the pipeline. The school system is expected to see a $500,000 increase in utility costs, the mayor said.
"We spend a lot of money in the school department heating those buildings and keeping them lit," Bianchi said, saying if costs go up, that is money not going to programming.
Bianchi differs from Patrick in that, Bianchi says the Kinder Morgan project is the best way to bring in the needed natural gas in a quick manner. The company has owned pipelines throughout the county since 1951 and already have right of ways.
"I have not heard of any other project that would be more appropriate and could be expedited as quick as this," Bianchi said.
Further Bianchi says the pipeline will help move toward energy independence from the middle east and bridge the gap in moving toward renewables.
"We've sent hundreds of thousands of guys to the middle east in the 10-15 years. We have talked for half a century about trying to gain our independence from middle eastern oil and now we are on the verge of doing it," Bianchi said. "And people are opposing that. I wish we could be in a position where 100 percent of our energy requirements are renewable. But we are not there year."
Tags: electrical, energy, gas pipeline,
