Regulatory Evaluation of New Natural Gas Infrastructure

Brattle experts have substantial experience evaluating the economics of new natural gas infrastructure in a regulatory setting. For example, Brattle experts testified before the Maine Public Utilities Commission evaluating proposed contracts for new LNG storage facilities in Maine. Our testimony highlighted the substantial risk to ratepayers associated with the LNG storage contract proposals and recommended that the Commission reject the proposals. In another proceeding, a Brattle expert submitted affidavits to the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding a new pipeline proposed in the US Midwest. The expert found that the proposed pipeline had not passed a “market test” that demonstrated its need, but instead relied on a subsidy from its affiliate’s captive retail ratepayers by shifting the vast majority of project risks to them.