National Grid Told to Address Gas Reliability Risks With or Without NESE Pipeline

The New York PSC approved National Grid’s long-term gas plan but ordered improvements in forecasting, reliability, and non-pipe alternatives to safeguard service for 2.5 million customers across the state.

(P&GJ) — The New York Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved National Grid’s long-term gas plan but ordered the utility to make improvements in demand forecasting, system reliability, and non-pipe alternatives over the next three years.

The directive applies to National Grid’s three New York utilities — Brooklyn Union Gas, KeySpan Gas East, and Niagara Mohawk Power — which together serve 2.5 million customers, making it the state’s largest natural gas delivery system.

PSC Chair Rory M. Christian said the order is designed to ensure reliable service while advancing state climate goals.

“Because widespread gas outages are a real possibility today given the narrow margin between available gas supply and demand, additional company actions identified in National Grid’s long-term plan and in the Commission’s order warrant consideration,” he said.

The PSC instructed National Grid to analyze the potential decommissioning of its Greenpoint LNG facility, provide updates on non-pipe alternatives and electrification efforts, and detail how the system would respond if the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline is not built. The commission noted recent supply disruptions in the downstate region have highlighted vulnerabilities in the gas network.

National Grid must file annual updates and submit its next long-term plan in three years, including scenarios without new gas infrastructure and full accounting of greenhouse gas emissions.