Gov. Healey asks feds to expedite review of proposed gas pipeline expansion in Mass.

Healey is asking the Trump administration to expedite its review of a proposed natural gas pipeline expansion project in New England.

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(Jesse Costa/WBUR) Amid ongoing public outcry over sky high energy bills, Gov.

Maura Healey has asked the Trump administration to expedite its review of a natural gas pipeline expansion project in New England.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright , Healey urged federal regulators to move as quickly as possible in their assessment of the Reliable Affordable Resilient Enhancement proposal — known as Project RARE .

The project, which was proposed by the energy company Enbridge, involves installing wider pipes along sections of the Algonquin natural gas pipeline.

This pipeline brings gas from New Jersey through southern New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and into Massachusetts.

"This project will lower costs for 600,000 customers," Healey said in a statement.

"Massachusetts is moving forward with its review, and I’m asking the federal government to do the same — move quickly and keep this project on track so customers can see the savings." Healey also noted that "moving quickly does not mean cutting corners" on any environmental review or community engagement efforts.

New England has some of the most expensive energy prices in the country, in large part because the region is highly dependent on natural gas and faces a limited supply of the fossil fuel.

On cold winter days, pipeline constraints mean that many natural gas power plants turn to burning oil, which is more expensive and polluting.

And gas utilities have to buy higher-priced liquified natural gas to meet home heating demands.

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Heart Donate Listen Live Search Support WBUR Share Residential natural gas meters.

(Jesse Costa/WBUR) Amid ongoing public outcry over sky high energy bills, Gov.

Maura Healey has asked the Trump administration to expedite its review of a natural gas pipeline expansion project in New England.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright , Healey urged federal regulators to move as quickly as possible in their assessment of the Reliable Affordable Resilient Enhancement proposal — known as Project RARE .

The project, which was proposed by the energy company Enbridge, involves installing wider pipes along sections of the Algonquin natural gas pipeline.

This pipeline brings gas from New Jersey through southern New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and into Massachusetts.

"This project will lower costs for 600,000 customers," Healey said in a statement.

"Massachusetts is moving forward with its review, and I’m asking the federal government to do the same — move quickly and keep this project on track so customers can see the savings." Healey also noted that "moving quickly does not mean cutting corners" on any environmental review or community engagement efforts.

New England has some of the most expensive energy prices in the country, in large part because the region is highly dependent on natural gas and faces a limited supply of the fossil fuel.

On cold winter days, pipeline constraints mean that many natural gas power plants turn to burning oil, which is more expensive and polluting.