BROOKLYN/MELVILLE, N.Y. – Today the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) unanimously approved the Joint Proposal establishing new rates for National Grid’s downstate New York gas business. The plan includes funding for critical investments to ensure the reliable and safe operation of the company’s distribution network, programs to promote energy efficiency and reduce emissions, and initiatives supporting National Grid’s customers in New York City and on Long Island, with an emphasis on programs designed to assist its most vulnerable customers.

The rate plan is the product of an open and transparent public process during which National Grid responded to more than 1,600 information requests and participated in nine public hearings, both virtually and in person. The plan reflects significant feedback of regulators, customers, environmental advocates and other key stakeholders.

“National Grid’s first priority is delivering reliable service for our customers while ensuring that energy remains affordable for all New Yorkers. We are also committed to advancing New York’s clean energy transition, using all the tools available to reduce energy consumption and lower emissions. We are proud that this rate plan advances all these commitments,” said Phil DeCicco, New York General Counsel, National Grid. “We thank the Department of Public Service Staff, the City of New York, the Environmental Defense Fund and other parties to the rate proceeding and the many members of the public who provided comments and thoughtful engagement throughout the rate case process.”

National Grid’s Downstate New York gas distribution network serves 1.9 million customers across Brooklyn, Staten Island, parts of Queens and Long Island.

Specific initiatives in the rate plan include:

• Expanded Customer Service and Assistance. The rate plan allocates an average of $75 million per year to energy efficiency programs and new residential weatherization programs, along with a shareholder funded weatherization health and safety program that will provide up to $2 million per year to address barriers to energy efficiency for low-to-moderate income and disadvantaged community households.

• Support for Low and Moderate Income (LMI) Customers. The joint proposal also includes funding for National Grid’s Energy Affordability Program to help customers manage their energy bills, additional consumer advocates trained to connect customers with bill assistance services, and an LMI Marketing and Outreach program to target outreach on affordability and energy efficiency programs.

• Modernizing infrastructure, accelerating gas main replacement and reducing emissions. Since 2013, National Grid has replaced 1,500 miles of gas main – improving system performance and lowering system emissions. Going forward, the rate plan provides the following investments:
• For New York City: Replacing a minimum of 45 miles/year of gas main (compared to 41 under the current plan)
• For Long Island: Replacing a minimum of 119 miles/year of gas main (compared to 114 under the current plan)
  
  
• Specific reporting on impacts to disadvantaged communities. To ensure the energy transition leaves no one behind, National Grid will file an annual report providing specific data on energy efficiency spending, demand response programs, main replacement programs, customer operations data, and clean energy job creation in disadvantage communities.

• Increasing Language Access. National Grid commits to expand the availability of translated customer assistance materials into Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Polish, Haitian Creole, Bengali, Yiddish, Urdu and/or Arabic. 
  
  

To mitigate bill impacts to customers, the Commission approved levelized revenue increases over the term of the rate plan, April 2024 to March 2027. On a total bill basis for a typical residential heating customer in Brooklyn, parts of Queens and Staten Island (using 83 therms per month), the results yield total bill increases of 19.4%/$30.18 effective September 1, 2024, 5.1%/$9.61 effective April 1, 2025, and 11.1%/$22.09 effective April 1, 2026. For Long Island and Rockaway Peninsula residential heating customer (using 83 therms per month), the results yield total bill increases of 22.3%/$33.35 effective September 1, 2024, 4.4%/$8.19 effective April 1, 2025, and 9.7%/$18.81 effective April 1, 2026.

Several economic development, business, community and labor organizations reacted to today’s decision:

“National Grid is a good union employer who held the line for ratepayers during the most trying times of Covid. This marginal increase will facilitate our region’s transition to green energy while also accelerating the gas main replacement program.  Many hands make light work, and together we will continue to drive Long Island into the future.”— Matthew Aracich, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk Counties

“National Grid has a strong commitment to the areas they serve, and their planned initiatives ensures that small businesses and disadvantaged communities will receive the support they need, which will in turn boost local economies.” – Matt Cohen, Long Island President & CEO of Long Island Association

“The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, and the thousands of small businesses we represent, have a longstanding relationship with National Grid, working together on energy efficiency and clean energy initiatives throughout the borough. More recently, we have witnessed firsthand National Grid’s unwavering commitment to a renewable energy transition that is safe, reliable, and affordable for businesses and consumers. We know that the road ahead will be challenging, but we are encouraged by the collaborative approach National Grid continues to take, and we look forward to continuing our partnership as we assist our small business community in navigating change.” – Randy Peers, President & CEO, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce

“National Grid is a critical partner to the New York business community. Keeping reliability and affordability at the forefront is essential for a robust, dynamic, and vibrant economy for our local communities. These investments will ensure National Grid continues providing these critical energy services while building the clean energy infrastructure necessary to meet New York’s climate goals.” – Thomas J. Grech, President & Chief Executive Officer, Queens Chamber of Commerce

“We applaud the New York State Public Service Commission’s decision to approve the latest National Grid rate proposal, which provides an opportunity to continue to invest in Long Island’s utility infrastructure and the workforce who maintains it. We look forward to working with National Grid, our brothers and sisters in the IBEW Local 1049, and all interested stakeholders to maintain Long Island’s commitment to a cleaner, brighter, and more sustainable energy future.” – John R. Durso, President, Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

“National Grid’s bold leadership in practice and policy demonstrates their commitment to building a truly diverse clean energy workforce. Over my years of working with National Grid, I have been consistently impressed by their follow through. Often businesses make high-profile commitments but never do the work to meet their goals. Not National Grid. They truly embody their values in their programs and we are seeing the positive results.” – Pat Giudice, Business Manager, IBEW 1049

“United Way of Long Island is grateful to National Grid for their continued support over the past 25 years assisting customers in need.  We applaud National Grid for their efforts to ensure equitable investments in their infrastructure and continued financial support in communities who need our mutual help the most in their recent rate case.” -- Theresa A. Regnante, President & CEO United Way of Long Island

About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a smarter, stronger, cleaner energy future — transforming our networks with more reliable and resilient energy solutions to meet state climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.