Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) has nominated a gas industry official to the state Public Service Commission, prompting criticism from environmentalists.
Alvarado has joined meetings of the AGA’s Sustainable Growth Committee, which has steered its efforts to block electrification, according to documents obtained by the Energy and Policy Institute, a group that advocates for renewable energy.
While it’s unclear how much influence Alvarado could wield as one of five commissioners, he could vote to approve billions of dollars of new gas infrastructure at a time when top scientists warn the world must rapidly phase out fossil fuels, said Matt Kasper, deputy director of the Energy and Policy Institute.
Gas pipelines built today have “a 40-year lifespan,” Kasper said. “So if we’re talking about winding down fossil fuel use in our homes and businesses in the coming decades, those are going to be stranded assets.”Concerns about new gas infrastructure are not only environmental, but also economic: Utilities often seek to recover the cost by increasing customers’ bills.
Maryland People’s Counsel David Lapp declined to comment on Alvarado’s appointment but said that in general, “the gas utilities in Maryland are continuing to invest heavily in gas infrastructure. So it’s critical that we have decision-makers at the Public Service Commission that can fairly and objectively evaluate those investments to determine whether they are best for customers, as well as best for furthering the state’s climate goals.
At the same time, Smith praised the new Moore administration for picking someone with “stellar credentials" and said “there’s no question that the matter will be resolved."
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