Bad Energy Policies Could Bring New Winter Price Shocks to Families Already Reeling from Expensive Pump Prices, Roiling Inflation

• CEA Analysis Finds Misguided Energy Policies Would Have Cost Consumers $137.4 Billion More for Winter Heating, Energy Use
• Families with Access to Natural Gas will Save 21% in Home Heating Costs vs. Last Winter

READ MORE: HEAT OR EAT?

WASHINGTON  – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, today issued “Heat or Eat,” an analysis showing that Americans would have paid $137.4 billion more for winter heating bills this year if energy choices were taken away. 

“Embarking on a crusade to electrify everything without fully considering the cost to consumers, consumer cost, energy choice or whether the necessary infrastructure is available has been the unfortunate strategy of some of our nation’s policymakers,” said CEA Midwest Executive Director Chris Ventura. “If these policies were fully enacted, according to a review of federal data, consumers would have been forced to spend $137.4 billion more on energy costs this winter. Coupled with high inflation and a looming recession, such an outcome would have been disastrous to American families and businesses.”

CEA examined the Energy Information Agency’s residential energy consumption data from the last winter heating season and applied EIA’s  winter fuel cost projections to compare it with the Department of Energy’s average cost for residential energy.

While winter fuel prices will remain at elevated levels for most Americans, some price relief will come to those heating their homes with natural gas and propane, demonstrating these energy choices continue to offer a reliable, affordable contribution to America’s energy mix. Families who use natural gas will see home energy cost savings of 21% versus last winter. This finding stands in stark contrast to political arguments claiming America’s record natural gas production and exports would raise prices at home. 

“With renewed turmoil in the Middle East, no American should accept the risk of political attempts to arbitrarily limit our energy choices. Policies that restrict energy choice and limit American energy production neglectfully increase the prices Americans pay, forcing them to choose between heating their homes or feeding their families,” Ventura said.

“The only remedy for America’s families is an inclusive set of energy policies designed to balance the need for reliable, affordable, and environmentally-sustainable energy,” Ventura said. “Sadly, the federal government and some states have all but declared war on traditional American energy. They have limited development on federal lands and waters, fought or blocked critical energy infrastructure, attempted to eliminate essential energy options and otherwise used expansive regulatory authority to pick energy winners – leaving American families with a losing hand. These misguided policies are doubly frustrating because they offer no environmental benefit; and, in some states in the northeast, have been shown to actually harm our environmental progress.”

“It is time for policymakers to acknowledge their mistakes, take time to better understand how energy, infrastructure and transmission work together, and embrace commonsense policies that ensure we have an affordable, reliable, and environmentally sustainable energy supply.”

Click here to view the full analysis.

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About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is the leading voice for sensible energy and environmental policies for consumers, bringing together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers, and manufacturers to support America’s environmentally sustainable energy future. With more than 550,000 members nationwide, we are committed to leading the nation’s dialogue around energy, its critical role in the economy, and how it supports the vital supply chains for the families and businesses that depend on them. CEA works daily to encourage communities across the nation to seek sensible, realistic, and environmentally responsible solutions to meet our nation’s energy needs.

Contact:
 Bryson Hull
 (202) 657-2855