Cuomo Orders Probe Into National Grid's Refusal to Add New Gas Customers

摘要

New York Gov.Andrew Cuomo has ordered an investigation into National Grid for its refusal to hook up new gas customers in several jurisdictions,calling for penalties against the utility that is sitting on more than 2,600 applications for service in Brooklyn,Queens and Long Island.National Grid said it is not acting on the requests as long as the 23.5 mile Northeast Supply Enhancement(NESE)project-a Williams-sponsored pipeline that would ship Marcellus Shale gas into the utility's service area-moves forward.The dispute is among several in the Northeast that have led to dire warnings about future gas supply shortages during the winter months(NGW Feb.25’19).Prodded by environmental groups and residents,New York and New Jersey regulators have denied key permits needed for the $1 billion NESE pipeline,which would be built beneath New York Harbor and carry 400 million cubic feet of gas per day to the Big Apple and surrounding area(NGW Jun.10’19).Without NESE,National Grid said it cannot guarantee adequate supply for new customers(NGW May27’19).