Pipeline Protesters Converge On The State House

About 250 people who are opposed to a proposed natural gas pipeline converged on the State House Monday, urging lawmakers and Gov. Charlie Baker to reject attempts by utilities to pass along pipeline construction costs to consumers.

The rally at the State House followed a four-day, 43-mile march from Medway, through communities in which the pipeline would pass.

Craig Altemose, of the Better Future Project, said there's an effort by utilities to pass along the cost of building the proposed pipeline, estimated to be $3 billion.

"Natural gas is on the way out, renewable energy is on the way in," Altemose said. "That's why this private company wants us people to pay for it cause they know they're not going to attract enough private capital to back this bad project."

The group wants the Legislature to preserve a Senate-backed amendment to an energy bill that would prohibit utilities from passing along the cost of building pipelines to ratepayers.