A new report found that rejecting pipeline infrastructure would remove almost one-third of U.S. electricity generation capacity by 2030, dangerously raising electric rates nationwide.
The report found that 31 percent of U.S. electricity generation capacity would be removed should the rejection of pipeline infrastructure projects continue at its current pace. Lack of pipelines would threaten the delivery of vital oil and natural gas feedstock to power generation facilities and sacrifice the reliability of the electric grid. Because natural gas is increasingly used to create electricity, pipeline expansion is more critical than ever. Without more pipelines, natural gas—as well as oil for fuel and power—will not get to market.
The losses from this rejected infrastructure would equal the power generation of a dozen states (or 1,450.25 gigawatts). Since one gigawatt powers roughly 750,000 homes, that’s equal to the power generation needs of California, Florida, New York, Texas, Ohio, and all of New England combined.
The breakdown by region is as follows:
- The Northern Plains region: 46% electricity shortfall
- The Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions: 44.8% electricity shortfall
- The Southeast region: 29.2% electricity shortfall
- The Southern Plains region: 23% electricity shortfall
- The New England region: 30% electricity shortfall
The construction industry has a lot riding on infrastructure projects for growth. The foundation of the projects might be threatened with the rejection of these types of projects.
