During several weeks of extreme cold weather in the New York area, residents have been heavily relying on natural gas for heating, leading to numerous gas usage records being broken. The energy company National Grid stated that New Yorkers set a historic high record in natural gas consumption during this severe cold spell.
On February 7th, National Grid reported that the amount of natural gas delivered to Long Island and the Rockaway Peninsula reached an all-time high, breaking a record set just a week prior. Parts of Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Queens also saw the second-highest gas consumption in the company’s history on that day.
Furthermore, the company revealed that natural gas consumption on Long Island was exceptionally high during the cold snap period from January 23rd to February 7th. Out of the top 10 days in National Grid’s history for gas usage, 8 of them occurred within this short two-week period. Long Island has seen its gas consumption records broken six times in the past few weeks, while New York City also had three days among the top 10 highest gas consumption days in history.
Another major utility company, Con Edison, also reported a surge in natural gas usage. On February 7th, they recorded the third-highest volume of gas distribution in history, with January of this year being the fourth-highest month for natural gas supply in the company’s history. Con Edison serves over one million customers in New York City and Westchester County.
In addition to the significant increase in gas consumption, energy prices have also risen accordingly. Starting from January this year, the Public Service Commission unanimously approved raising Con Edison’s rates for electricity and gas delivery, meaning that users will bear higher costs starting this month.
It is worth noting that a majority of the electricity in the New York area also relies on natural gas for power generation. With dual demands for heating and electricity generation, the pressure on the natural gas market has further intensified.
National Grid estimates that New York City customers could see an approximately 9.2% increase in their bills this month compared to last month. Con Edison did not provide a specific increase percentage but warned that the rise in bill amounts could be quite significant.
To help people save on heating expenses, Con Edison suggests that residents clear obstructions around air vents and radiators, keep south-facing windows open during the day to let sunlight in, and use thermostats to adjust temperatures. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting indoor temperatures around 68 degrees Fahrenheit, lowering it by 7 to 10 degrees when away or no one is home, potentially saving up to 10% on energy costs per month.
Statistics show that about sixty percent of New York City households use natural gas for heating, and about seventy percent use gas for cooking. While New York State originally planned to gradually phase out the use of gas in buildings starting this year, Governor Hochul has postponed the enforcement of related mandatory measures until 2027. According to the state’s climate regulations passed in 2019, New York State must gradually eliminate fossil fuels by 2040.