New Port Washington Restaurant Trapped In Natural Gas Feud

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — Ninety degrees. That's all that separates Hyek Chen from opening his new restaurant in Port Washington.

Chen is the longtime owner and operator of iDiner on Main Street, a local favorite since opening 10 years ago. The Asian fusion joint is known for serving up a mean bibimbap — one of the restaurant's most popular dishes — and delicious bubble tea.

But iDiner's lease expired Sept. 30. And Chen planned to open a new restaurant, Narinatto, just steps away on Irma Avenue.

There's just one problem: The valve on his natural gas hookup needs to be turned 90 degrees to the left to allow the fuel to pass through. And National Grid — in the midst of a feud with state officials over a rejected pipeline — refuses to activate his line despite the fact he's been a paying customer for 10 years.

In mid-September, Chen realized he'd unknowingly sabotaged himself.

The 35-year-old Manorhaven resident waited until he finished his building inspection and was ready to open Narinatto to activate a new gas account with the utility.

"That's usually the time to do it," he told Patch.

What he didn't realize is that the gas account for the space had been turned off for two years and 11 days. And National Grid in March had implemented a moratorium on new accounts after state regulators denied plans to build a nearly $1 billion pipeline that would transport natural gas from Pennsylvania’s shale gas fields to New York. Utilities have said the pipeline is necessary to meet demand, and as such, National Grid and Con Edison implemented moratoriums on new hookups.

This month, Chen thought he caught a break when Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered National Grid to provide gas hookups to more than 1,100 customers who were previously denied. Cuomo said the utility faced "millions of dollars in penalties" for failing to connect existing residential customers as required by law.

But once again, Chen was denied. He calls National Grid every day — sometimes multiple times a day — seeking a new account. Each time he gets the same answer: No.

"They said they received my application but that I am not one of the 1,100 customers because those customers had applications ahead of me," he said.

National Grid told Patch in a statement the State Public Service Commission’s order to re-connect customers was limited. It only applied to natural gas customers in downstate New York who had inactive accounts, had applied for gas service and were denied during the moratorium policy, which went into effect in May.

"Unfortunately, this customer doesn’t fit within that criteria," the company said.

These customers were previously disconnected from National Grid's system more than two years ago and are "no longer accounted for" in its supply portfolio. They were denied re-connection under the company's current connection restriction guidelines.

"For that reason, the service connection restrictions currently in place must remain in effect for all other customers who've requested new or expanded service," National Grid said.

The utility noted it's impossible to approve more accounts given the current constraints on gas supply.

Now Chen is weighing his options.

Knowing he poured his life savings into the new business and needs the new restaurant to pay the bills, he plans to continue operating iDiner until a new tenant leases the space. That could happen any day.

He reached out to community and business leaders, as well as local lawmakers, who reached out to National Grid as well. Same result.

He is actively considering hiring a lawyer to pursue legal action. His mother, who lives in Queens, offered for Chen, his wife and their four young children — ages 5 months to 9 years — to move in with her.

He's even thought about the worst-case scenario: walking away.

"I don't know what I would do from there," he said. "Maybe drive for Uber, I don't know."

Many in the community are supporting Chen, taking to Facebook to urge others to dine at iDiner while he waits for the gas hookup. The outpouring of support touched Chen and his family.

"I felt that we were loved," he said.

Chen signed the lease for the Narinatto building in early 2018 and has been going through the building variance and permitting process ever since, setting its timeline back. The landlord has been supportive throughout, Chen said, allowing him ample time to sort his affairs rent-free. But time's up — his first rent payment on the new place was paid Wednesday.

Even as Narinatto joins numerous businesses and homes hurt in a feud he has no control over, Chen is staying positive.

"I know it will work out," he said.