National Grid Upgrades Queens Natural Gas System

Queens Gas Reliability Project part of $1.3 billion investment to modernize natural gas system, improve safety, reliability and support energy needs of local communities

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Starting next week, National Grid will begin construction on the Queens Gas Reliability Project, a multi-million dollar undertaking to modernize the gas system in Queens, improving safety, reliability and supporting the energy needs of the local community.

National Grid will invest more than $100 million in the Queens Gas Reliability Project. The company and its contractor, Network Infrastructure, will install more than six miles of new gas mains through Central Queens from Rockaway Boulevard in Southern Queens to just north of the Long Island Expressway, which will provide enough natural gas to meet the growing energy needs of customers.

Once the six-miles of new gas mains are complete, crews will be working in neighborhoods along the route to upgrade the natural gas service in the local communities. The work on the smaller projects will begin in 2016 and all of the work is expected to be completed in the spring of 2016.

The Queens Gas Reliability Project is part of National Grid’s $1.3 billion commitment to modernize the natural gas infrastructure in New York State over the next two years. These investments will be focused on replacing aging mains to enhance the safety and integrity of the gas distribution system, installing new mains and other facilities to accommodate customers requesting natural gas service and ensuring adequate natural gas supplies to meet increasing customer demand.

Crews will be progressing in short segments to minimize disruption as much as possible. Portions of the construction work are coordinated with New York City agencies to coincide with other planned essential underground infrastructure upgrades to improve the way street work is conducted, minimizing impact to communities.

The Queens Reliability Project will ensure a reliable supply of environmentally friendly natural gas to support New York City’s energy efficiency and sustainability goals including the Clean Heat Initiative. The initiative accelerates phasing out the use of #4 and #6 heavy oils in large buildings to improve air quality for healthier communities.

“As we look to the future and increased demand for natural gas, the Queens Reliability Project is a perfect example of National Grid’s commitment to modernizing our network and helping customers take control of their energy use,” said Mike Ruiz, director, Community & Customer Management, National Grid. “By strengthening the network we can support increased customer demand and give customers a choice to take advantage of new technologies and renewable energy sources.”

National Grid’s investment in the Queens Reliability Project is one example of Connect21, the company’s overall approach to planning and operating the energy infrastructure in the Northeast. National Grid has taken a leadership role in bringing the nation’s electric and natural gas systems into the 21st century through increasingly resilient infrastructure, enabling new technologies to be implemented more quickly and helping customers take control of their energy use.

National Grid’s number one priority is the safety of the public, its customers and employees. The company reminds motorists and pedestrians to be cautious in and around utility roadway work zones for their own safety and the safety of National Grid employees and contractors.

CONTACT: Karen Young – 929-324-5050