American Power Crisis Ahead: Natural Gas Imports Increase Following Democrat-Driven Pipeline Shutdowns

As more U.S. natural gas pipelines shut down due to climate concerns and the regulations prompted by them, the country is becoming increasingly reliant on foreign natural gas resources. One of the main importers of natural gas, Massachusetts, is reportedly increasing its liquid natural gas (LNG) imports from Trinidad and Tobago in South America over 2,300 miles away, at an estimated cost of over $8 per thousand cubic feet (MCF). The nearest American oil field, Marcellus Shale, is several hundred miles away and much cheaper: under $5 per MCF.

The Daily Wire asked one of the largest energy providers in the Northeast, Boston Gas (National Grid), about the natural gas imports. We also asked them what additional costs would be passed onto customers. Spokesman Bob Kievra didn’t offer specific answers to our inquiries. Instead, he relayed that natural gas service would be reliable and uninterrupted.

“We’re confident in our ability to deliver safe, reliable natural gas service to our customers this winter,” stated Kievra. “We have robust plans in place to ensure the gas supply needs of our customers are fully met.”

The Biden Administration has moved to cut off further development of new pipeline projects while imposing increased burdens on existing ones. Immediately after President Joe Biden took office, the administration paused all new oil and gas leasing on federal lands; they are currently appealing a federal court’s ruling against those suspensions. Additionally, the Biden Administration omitted any mention of pipelines in their proposed infrastructure plan fact sheet.

Climate concerns over the pipelines include the adverse effects of fracking, such as increased global warming from air pollutants, or groundwater pollution from spills. As a result, activists want the Biden Administration to shut down all pipelines – not just natural gas pipelines. Several key natural gas pipelines have shut down recently: the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, PennEast Pipeline, STL Pipeline, and the Constitution Pipeline.

Those aren’t the only pipelines facing the possibility of shutting down. In May, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer ordered the shutdown of Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline over spillage concerns – though that line hasn’t had that issue in its 67-year existence. Another major pipeline, the Mountain Valley Pipeline, has been held back from completion due to costly regulations, delays, and challenges. The pipeline’s estimated cost of completion sat around $3 billion but has now increased to over $6 billion. 

Robert Rice – the CEO of one of the largest natural gas producers, EQT Corporation –