Canadian tariffs can have a widespread impact on energy costs in New England. Here’s what that means. – The Boston Globe

Friday’s discussion focuses on the interdependence of countries in New England and the Atlantic provinces of Canada, especially with regard to energy.

For example, about $ 10 billion in motor fuels, natural gas and electricity are imported from Canada every year for statistics provided by Business Council. Moreover, 80 percent of Nova England’s gasoline and diesel fuel comes from Canada, mainly from the Irving Petfinery in St. John, New Bunsuick; Nearly 90 percent of Logan Airport reactive fuel comes from Canada. And nearly 10 percent of New England’s electricity is imported from Canada, such as by hydroelectric facilities in Quebec, and more soon comes after the New England Clean Energy Connect Power through Maine was completed, potentially in 2026.

The two regions depend on each other for natural gas supplies. Michelle Robicho, president of the Atlantic Energy Center in New Brunswick, said the greater part of the natural gas used in the Atlantic provinces arrives through pipelines through New England. Meanwhile, the New Brunswick Liquefied Natural Gas terminal provides key supplies of natural gas to new England during particularly cold sections when power plants need this most gas. The US also imports Uranus from Canada for use in nuclear production.

Patrick Wowkok, CEO of the Maine Chamber of Commerce, said New England also relies on the import of oil heating from the Irving refinery in St. John.

Woodcock is worried that tariffs can limit the flow of hydroelectricity in New England, which prompts several power plants in this region to light their reserve oil generators in winter, causing more pollution.

“The tariff mode is a dull tool,” Wooddock said, talking about the widespread impact of tariffs. “The situation you are left with is that your users pay higher costs. I think New England is particularly vulnerable to what is happening. “

It was not clear how quickly a 10 percent tariff for Canadian energy could affect electricity bills. Usually, the largest utility services in the region buy their power on behalf of customers in advance, for six-month sections. (All National Grid speaker would say that the company “continues to evaluate any impact on our networks and clients.”)

Dan Dolan, President of the Power New England General Association, said in an email that while the saleswoman depends on being transmitted from the 10 percent price, say, natural gas coming from St. John or Hydro -Cebec’s power supply, Historical tariffs and other taxes are built into the final sale price. (Dolan also noted that it is not clear at the moment whether electricity generated in natural gas or nuclear power plants in Canada will be subject to higher tariff by 25 percent or treated as hydroelectric and other forms of energy, with a 10 percent tariff .)

“This has a real potential for [add to] Inflation pressure, “said Wooddock, a former top state energy employee in the Republican administrations in Maine and Massachusetts. “This will exacerbate low -income households, which are really struggling with a high percentage of their energy income.”

You can find John Johno at [email protected]. Follow it @jonchestoS