New England has been at the forefront of converting its fossil fuel power plants to use cleaner burning natural gas. In addition, many New Englanders have gas lines in their homes and use natural gas for heating and cooking. Natural gas prices across the United States dropped with the advent of fracking, and it would be easy and cheap to supply New England with natural gas from the nearby Marcellus shale region. Now, a polar vortex has hit the northeast and frigid temperatures are causing demand for natural gas to skyrocket . Petroleum accounted for 22% of the electricity generation, just behind nuclear at 35% and natural gas at 24%.

Source: Forbes December 28, 2017 01:07 UTC