Westchester To Coordinate Action To Deal With Gas Moratorium

WHITE PLAINS, NY — With Con Edison planning on halting new gas-line hook ups in Westchester County, beginning March 15, county and local officials have announced a multi-step approach to deal with the moratorium. County Executive George Latimer call the moratorium "a serious move that will impact development in the county, particularly in our major cities where development has been very much part of their economic revival efforts."

He said the goal is to bring all local governments together and plan how to respond to the move.

Con Edison said the demand for natural gas has outgrown its ability to supply its service area. The power company said it is due to the construction of new buildings, opening of new businesses and conversions from oil to cleaner-burning natural gas in existing buildings.

As a result, Con Ed will no longer be accepting applications for natural gas connections from new customers in most of Westchester County.

In 2017, Con Ed that innovation was needed to more efficiently manage natural gas usage in New York City and Westchester County because construction of new natural gas pipelines is not keeping pace with growing demand.

The company said that there are some areas in the northernmost part of the county where it has more capacity and my still be able to accept new customers.

Latimer said in order to deal with the moratorium the county will facilitate next steps with the municipalities and Con Ed, including getting a full list of projects and their timetables for construction.

That will allow the county to get a picture of where everyone is with demand.

Other steps include the following:

• Enlisting the help of energy consultants who can guide Westchester through the regulatory process
• Having the director of energy and sustainability perform a survey to explore how the county can reduce gas usage at its facilities
• Having the director of operations work with the state Public Service Commission to encourage Con Ed to delay the moratorium so the county can develop an action plan
• Working with businesses to help them navigate through the moratorium

Additionally, Latimer said he will be testifying at the next PSC hearing.

When asked whether one option would be legal action, Latimer said that everything is on the table, but that he didn't want to lead with that.

"We're not happy with [Con Edison's] decision," he said, adding that the county is trying to find a way to solve the problem through a business-like response.

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