Boosting energy efficiency investments across New England is a better option than putting ratepayers on the hook for the cost of expanding natural gas pipelines in the region, RAP Principal David Littell said in a November 20 Maine Public Radio story.

In the story, Mr. Littell highlights the risks of saddling ratepayers across New England with the cost of new natural gas pipelines.

“(And) you have to ask why private investors are not making those investments,” he said. “Is it market failure or is it that it’s too risky? If it’s too risky, why would ratepayers, and why should ratepayers, be doing that?” he asked. A better investment is to increase long-term energy efficiency funding across the six New England states, he suggested.