BROOKLYN, N.Y. – National Grid submitted comments to the New York State Climate Action Council’s draft scoping plan, agreeing with the goal and approach to seek and evaluate all feedback, recommending consideration of a hybrid pathway that includes heat decarbonization through an integrated electric and clean gas system which can meet or exceed clean energy goals and preserve affordability, reliability, jobs, and resiliency for all New Yorkers.

In its comments, National Grid reaffirms the company’s support of the State’s clean energy goals, stating “We all agree on the goal.  The reality is that there are numerous paths to get to that goal. Our joint success depends on a shared sense of responsibility and on transparency. As we continue to decarbonize, National Grid will remain honest and transparent about our progress, acknowledging when challenges or new opportunities arise. It is our sincere desire to work with elected officials, regulators, labor, customers, advocates, and other stakeholders on finding solutions that achieve our shared goals while supporting reliability and affordability.”

National Grid outlined its energy transition vision in April which includes accelerating decarbonization of both its electric and gas infrastructure.  The plan provides a balanced approach that achieves clean energy reductions and prioritizes customer affordability, reliability, choice, and jobs.  With National Grid’s Clean Energy Vision:  A fossil-free future for cleanly heating homes and businesses, the company is seeking to eliminate fossil fuel from its gas networks, replacing it with renewable natural gas (RNG) and green hydrogen, while also maximizing energy efficiency and helping customers electrify their heat, if they so choose, in targeted areas. 

Combined with targeted electrification and enhanced energy efficiency a 100 percent fossil-free gas network can deliver a clean energy future that is more affordable and more reliable than an all-electrification pathway for the company’s 4.2 million customers across New York, benefitting the region.  National Grid’s fossil-free vision will not only achieve a net zero energy future and achieve the climate goals of the state, but it will also provide additional. Affordable clean energy choices so no customer or community is left behind in the clean energy transition.

National Grid participated in the CAC draft scoping plan public hearings held across the state along with key stakeholders who are at the forefront representing various industries, encouraging the need to study a hybrid pathway:

"The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) 6th Assessment Report recently emphasized the need for humanity to rapidly achieve deep and sustained reductions to its emissions of greenhouse gases, especially emissions of methane from biological sources, if catastrophic climate change is to be avoided. This warning comes at a time when the world is investing a small fraction of what is needed to achieve the decarbonization targets set by the Paris Agreement, let alone to prevent catastrophic climate change. The Climate Action Council must consider using all available low-carbon and carbon-negative energy sources, including renewable natural gas (RNG) and green hydrogen, if it intends to follow the best science on climate change and cement New York's status as a global leader on climate policy. RNG is a critical tool in the fight against climate change due to its ability under the CLCPA to achieve rapid and cost-effective reductions to GHG emissions of a magnitude that is unmatched in the clean energy sector. Hydrogen will similarly be needed if New York is to fully decarbonize its industrial and heavy transportation sectors. The Climate Action Council should promote the use of RNG, including from existing biological sources of methane outside of New York's borders, along with electrification and hybridization in order to position our state to maximize its GHG emission reductions and system reliability while minimizing negative impacts to its economy." – Tristan Brown, Associate Professor, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

“As a lifelong New Yorker representing almost 2,000 natural gas utility workers across Long Island, as well as another 8,000 across the State, a reliable and affordable energy policy is priority one!  We need a plan that takes advantage of our existing infrastructure and doesn’t rule out any possible solutions. To achieve this, IBEW Local 1049 is proud to support the Climate Action Council’s work in crafting a clean energy transition for New York.  We are excited to work on a hybrid plan that will achieve emission reductions to meet climate action goals and the CLCPA.  This pathway will ensure that good-paying jobs for generations to come will be protected while ensuring the production and reliable delivery of energy that will bring comfort and safety to the lives of our neighbors.” -- Pat Guidice, Business Manager, IBEW Local 1049

“The challenges posed by climate change also present significant economic development opportunities. We commend the Climate Action Council for their commitment to leading the clean energy transition. The Long Island Association urges them to explore different options to achieve decarbonization, including the usage of hydrogen, renewable natural gas, and offshore wind, which would provide affordable, reliable energy generation for our homes and businesses while further contributing to the growth of our clean energy economy.” -- Matt Cohen, President, and CEO, Long Island Association

“The Town of Hempstead is proud to work alongside National Grid to provide clean energy resources to the community, as demonstrated by our joint project at the town's Renewable Energy Park in creating one of the nation's first green hydrogen projects for home heating and vehicle fueling. America's largest township has been at the forefront of implementing wind, solar and other renewable energy projects and is dedicated to converting the entire town fleet to clean energy vehicles under the 'Vision 2040' plan. We will continue to take proactive steps to reduce our carbon footprint while providing the highest quality municipal programs and services to town residents.” – Donald X. Clavin, Supervisor, Town of Hempstead

“Just as we are decarbonizing our electric grid, we must also take steps to decarbonize our gas network to help reduce emissions and meet New York State’s clean energy goals. As changes are made to our energy grid it is important to be able to have affordable and independent heating options, that serve middle- and working-class communities as well as green our environment.” -- Eric Alexander, Director, Vision Long Island

"The Climate Action Council needs to arrive at a practical approach that recognizes the financial burden Long Islanders would be required to shoulder when determining New York’s future transition to clean energy. Given that the cost of natural gas has been historically less than the cost of electricity, and the region's manufacturers rely on this fuel, it is critical that the Council examine these factors in their decision.  Decarbonizing our natural gas network may provide one solution that helps our region reduce its carbon footprint while recognizing Long Island's economic need to access this fuel source for the foreseeable future." – Kyle Strober, Executive Director, The Association for A Better Long Island

“The Climate Action Council must not overlook the use of green hydrogen technology as they work to develop New York’s clean energy transition plan. “Hydrogen will be the driver for stimulating the economic base of Long Island. It is a job creator, and the hydrogen industry represents a real just transition for workers who currently make their living in the fossil fuel industry. The economic growth potential of the hydrogen industry is tremendous, and adopting a hybrid solution will keep energy affordable and reliable for all New Yorkers.” – Matty Aracich, President, Nassau Suffolk Building and Construction Trades Council

“The Queens Chamber of Commerce is proud to support the Climate Action Council as they work to fight climate change in New York. We urge the Council to proceed with a practical plan, using all available clean energy sources to ensure homes and businesses throughout New York have access to safe, affordable, and dependable heat and electricity. The Chamber looks forward to the Climate Action Council’s guidance as we grow the clean energy economy and help our businesses become more energy efficient.” -- Thomas Grech, President and CEO, Queens Chamber of Commerce

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Read more about National Grid’s Clean Energy Vision launched in April and additional support:

“The carbon-free utility of the future will require a blend of technologies to provide clean, affordable and reliable energy. National Grid has a vision that leverages the existing infrastructure to keep costs down and integrates new and exciting solutions like renewable natural gas and green hydrogen to meet decarbonization targets.” -- Naomi L. Boness, Ph. D., Managing Director, Stanford Natural Gas Initiative 

“The excitement around hydrogen, a totally decarbonized energy molecule, is now a global phenomenon, especially with its large-scale production from abundant water. Hydrogen, being a gas like methane, can be produced in large enough volumes from abundant water and blended at low levels with natural gas without compromising infrastructure integrity. More R&D with major investment by the federal government in hydrogen hubs and other investments, is likely to bring the cost of green hydrogen down and address any hydrogen-materials compatibility issues to enable 100% hydrogen to be adopted in the infrastructure by 2030. Complementing hydrogen will be a smaller resource, renewable methane produced naturally from organic waste streams, that is essential to managing waste and is available now, said Professor Devinder Mahajan who also serves as the Director of the Institute of Gas Innovation and Technology I-GIT) at Stony Brook University. Consistent with the evolution of green hydrogen and renewable methane strategies, the "hybrid approach" that National Grid outlines in their strategy to achieve a fossil free future by 2050 includes these sources of decarbonized energy systems. Specifically, National Grid considers two key factors, reliability and affordability, for incorporation in the existing infrastructure and it would allow a smooth transition during deployment. Furthermore, the National Grid study’s various assumptions for analysis are sound to achieve net-zero targets.” -- Dr. Devinder Mahajan, Professor and Graduate Program Director Chemical & Molecular Engineering, Director of the Institute of Gas Innovation and Technology I-GIT) at Stony Brook University 

"While our energy policy has all too often been scattershot and overly optimistic, it's only through the deliberate effort by our energy providers that real carbon reduction through conversion and bridge fuels that those goals are realized. I commend National Grid for taking a lead in the region in trying to balance our energy goals with affordability."  -- Hon. Joseph C. Borelli, Minority Leader, New York City Council 

“The Buffalo Niagara Partnership applauds National Grid’s commitment to eliminate fossil fuels from its gas and electric systems while ensuring energy remains affordable and reliable.  National Grid has been instrumental in helping shape economic development efforts in Buffalo Niagara.  As a result, the company acutely understands the balance that must be struck between taking real action to reduce emissions and the necessity of making sure Buffalo Niagara’s economy can be powered affordably and reliably.  The BNP looks forward to working together with National Grid as it steps into this new chapter of its operations for the betterment of our community.” -- Dottie Gallagher, President & CEO, Buffalo Niagara Partnership
 

“A well-thought-out move to a clean energy economy is not only vital to Central New York, it will create significant opportunities for our region which is well-positioned to benefit from the investments necessary for an effective transition. These investments must also be balanced with the needs of businesses and industry which desire predictability, certainty, redundancy and resiliency in their energy supply. We can, and must, do both. National Grid’s leadership in the clean energy transition, as reflected in today’s announcement, is what we have come to expect from a partner fully committed to Central New York’s success.” -- Robert M. Simpson, President, CenterState CEO  

“We applaud and support National Grid’s initiative.  This commitment illustrates how crucial it is for business to be engaged in advancing New York’s carbon reduction goals, and to help assure that our strategy moving forward is both technically and economically achievable.” -- Ken Pokalsky, Vice President, Business Council of New York State 

“The business community supports the steps that National Grid is taking to eliminate fossil fuels in a sustainable way that ensures affordable and reliable energy for all New Yorkers.” -- Kathryn Wylde, President & CEO, Partnership for New York City 

“Fossil-free is the way of the future, and our largest providers not only recognizing that, but leading the way by example — as National Grid is doing today — is the key to turning the corner to widespread acceptance of this indisputable fact.  The New York Building Congress applauds National Grid, and hopes other energy providers not only follow suit, but continue to do the research that has brought us to the point where such an idea is even possible, and perhaps discover new ways to make our future brighter and cleaner.” -- Carlo A. Scissura, President and CEO, The New York Building Congress 

“Climate change is an existential threat we must meet. We strongly believe that the right path to our clean energy future must include all New Yorkers, even those with less ability to afford major new investments in their homes and businesses. National Grid’s plan for a fossil-free future addresses the risks posed by climate change while ensuring communities across New York have access to affordable electric and heating service that they can depend on, even in bad weather. This is a clear-eyed, realistic plan for achieving and exceeding New York’s important clean energy goals without leaving anyone behind.”-- Melva M. Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Association for a Better New York (ABNY) 

“The real estate community is committed to continuing to decarbonize the building sector and ensure that New York achieves its climate goals while supporting New York’s economy,” said James Whelan, President of REBNY. “National Grid’s vision to realize zero emission electricity and gas is a practical path to a clean energy future that will help realize our shared goals.” -- James Whelan, President, Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) 

"National Grid's plan to eliminate fossil fuels from its system is as pragmatic as it is visionary. Setting the goal of being net-zero by 2050 was an important first step, and, with its new fossil-free plan, National Grid is reinforcing its commitment to achieve deep emissions reductions and deliver clean energy to customers reliably and affordably. In addition to utilizing cleaner energy sources, this plan recognizes that energy efficiency is a powerful and cost-effective tool that reduces emissions while saving customers money." -- Tom Kuhn, President, Edison Electric Institute 

“National Grid is leading New York’s clean energy transition with a bold vision that will safely and reliably power our communities while combatting climate change, TWU Local 101 supports their pathway to a fossil-free future that addresses the threat of climate change in a practical way. The National Grid vision protects good union jobs, creating new opportunities for the future of energy and paving the way to long-term economic growth” -- Constance Bradley, President of TWU Local 101 

“IBEW Local 97 is proud to support National Grid’s vision to fight climate change,” said Theodore J. Skerpon, President of IBEW Local 97.  National Grid’s path is a better way to tackle the threat of climate change that protects the jobs of hardworking New Yorkers and ensures affordable, reliable heat for everyone. Importantly, the plan also includes much-needed workforce development programs that will make sure New Yorkers have the access to good jobs in clean energy now and going forward.” -- Theodore J. Skerpon, President of IBEW Local 97 

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