Cost of energy, appliances and other products would increase
BOSTON Jan. 29, 2020 – A flurry of bills that attempt to bring Massachusetts down to net-zero carbon emissions have just been introduced in the state Senate. NFIB, the leading small business association in Massachusetts, with over 5,000 members in the state, is concerned that these new mandates don’t consider the financial impact on small businesses, consumers, drivers, and every resident of the Commonwealth. The following comments are attributable to NFIB State Director in Massachusetts, Christopher Carlozzi:
“Get ready for much higher energy bills, fuel prices, more expensive products, and limits on what consumers can buy or install in their homes or what companies can sell. There seems to be no balance or consideration of the economic harm these carbon taxes and mandates would cause to household budgets or small businesses’ bottom lines, especially in the areas of construction, transportation, manufacturing and heating and cooling.
“Setting new higher state energy standards for products such as computer monitors, washing machines, refrigerators, faucets, lamps and more will drive up costs with no thought about a consumer’s ability to pay and the limits placed on their choices. Shoppers living within a budget may not be able to buy and install a more affordable product from another state, or even purchase a used appliance. And the potential carbon taxes would make the state’s small businesses uncompetitive with companies in states with lower energy costs.”
