In recent weeks, questions have been raised about the value of ongoing investment in natural gas infrastructure, particularly Massachusetts’ Gas System Enhancement Program (GSEP). Some recent analyses have cast doubt on the program’s benefits. Those critiques miss the mark.In a letter published in Sunday’s Boston Globe, NGA’s Alana Daly directly addressed the flaws in one such report. She made the case for why replacing aging, leak-prone pipes continues to be critical: it is fundamental to maintaining a safe, reliable, and affordable energy system for the people and businesses that depend on it every day.

Natural gas remains a vital and affordable energy source for millions of homes and businesses across Massachusetts and the broader Northeast. It will continue to play an important role in the region’s energy mix for years to come. As policymakers grapple with genuine concerns about energy costs, the solution cannot be to undercut investment in the infrastructure customers rely on. Safety and reliability are not optional extras, they are the foundation of an energy system that works.

As Alana put it: “Massachusetts customers deserve an affordable, reliable, and safe natural gas system. That requires prioritizing continued investment.”

Read the full letter in The Boston Globe:
Opinion | Questions raised over state’s gas safety program

Maintaining and modernizing the gas system is critical. It is about ensuring that the energy customers need today, and will still need tomorrow, is delivered safely, reliably, and at a cost they can afford.