National Grid and Governor Andrew Cuomo reached an agreement that immediately lifts the natural gas moratorium. Photo via Flickr
Nat Grid lifts natural gas moratorium after
Cuomo threatens to pull license to operate
BY BILL PARRY
National Grid has agreed
to immediately lift its current
moratorium on gas service to
Queens, Brooklyn and Long
Island, Governor Andrew
Cuomo announced on Monday,
less than two weeks after
he threatened to revoke its
certificate to operate it downstate
gas franchise.
The embattled utility company
has identified shortterm
supply mechanisms that
will conservatively meet demand
for approximately the
next two years, allowing it to
restore service to the more
than 1,100 customers that
it had refused and grant all
pending applications. Additionally,
National Grid will offer
$7 million in customer assistance
to address hardships
as a result of the moratorium.
It will invest $8 million for
new gas efficiency and nearly
$29 million to support energy
conservation measures and
clean energy projects in New
York.
“This agreement is a victory
for customers,” Cuomo said.
“National Grid will pay a significant
penalty for its failure
to address the supply issue, its
abuse of its customers, and the
adverse economic impact they
have caused. The company is
also working to address the
long-term supply problem and
will present options in the
coming months to the people
of Brooklyn, Queens and Long
Island, letting them choose
the best way forward for their
communities.”
An independent monitor
will be appointed by the Department
of Public Service to
oversee National Grid’s compliance
with the agreement.
“As winter begins, New
Yorkers can rest assured that
National Grid’s moratorium
is finally over,” state Attorney
General Letitia James
said. “I am grateful that Governor
Cuomo pushed National
Grid to do the right thing
and brought attention to this
critical matter.”
National Grid instituted
its moratorium after state
regulators denied permit for
the $1 billion Williams pipeline
project over concerns
that it would pollute New
York Harbor during its construction.
The pipeline would
bring fracked natural gas
from Pennsylvania to a terminus
three miles off the coast
on Rockaway Beach.
“Every decision we make is
driven by National Grid’s commitment
to provide safe and
reliable service to our customers,
including the decision to
implement the moratorium,”
National Grid Interim U.S.
President Badar Khan said.
“We understand the frustrations
of everyone who experienced
a delay in service during
this period and regret that
we did not provide more notice
or explanation to our customers
about the moratorium. We
appreciate the opportunity to
work with the governor’s office
and the Department of Public
Service to address these challenging
issues.”
National Grid will present
a long-term options analysis
within three months, subject
to a public review process in
Queens, Brooklyn and Long
Island. The long-term options
will be in place and functioning
in fall 2021.
“We have worked hard
to identify a series of alternatives
to meet growing demand.
With this agreement,
we will present options for
long-term supply solutions
that ensure our customers
have the service they require
and desire,” National Grid
New York President John
Bruckner said. “With the
resumption of service, providing
support for those affected
by the moratorium and
further investments in New
York’s long-term clean energy
future, we are demonstrating
our unwavering commitment
to delivering on our top priority
of providing safe and reliable
service.”
If the conditions of the
agreement are satisfied, the
PSC will not proceed with
revocation of National Grid’s
operating certificate.
“Today it was made clear
that we will not allow any
business, big or small, to extort
New Yorkers in order to
advance its own interests,”
Cuomo said.
Reach reporter Bill Parry
by e-mail at bparry@schnepsmedia.
com or by phone at
(718) 260–4538.
TIMESLEDGER,4 NOV. 29-DEC. 5, 2019 QNS.COM
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