The National Grid Plc has some news for New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo.
It won’t process any new applications for natural gas service to New York City and Long Island until the Northeast Supply Enhancement project of Tulsa’s Williams company gets the permits it needs to proceed.
Gov. Cuomo blocked the $1 billion, 37-mile long gas line last week leaving Williams in the lurch. New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation denied the company’s application for water quality certification, claiming the pipeline would harm aquatic life.
The National Grid responded,
“While we continue to receive applications for new and expanded firm gas service … none will be processed until the permits are received and (NESE) is allowed to proceed,” National Grid said in a statement. “Only at that time … will (National Grid) resume processing all requests for new and expanded firm gas service in the order that they have been received,” the company said.
The Grid also said it might have to issue a moratorium on new customer accounts for gas service in New York City if the state does not allow construction. The city is in the process of converting thousands of homes and businesses from home heating fuel to natural gas.
National Grid services about 1.8 million customers in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Long Island.
As for Williams, the Oklahoma-based company said it would resubmit the pipeline application “quickly” and remained “confident” it would meet the state’s concerns in time to supply gas for the winter of 2020/2021.