New York Regulator Declines to Approve Gas Company Plan, Saying it Falls Short of Climate Goals 

(Albany, NY) — The New York Public Service Commission today issued an order declining to approve, and instead modifying, the 20-year long-term plan filed by National Fuel Gas Distribution Company. The Western New York utility is the first to undergo the new process established by the Commission to require gas utility planning consistent with the state’s Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act, which sets statewide targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030, 85% by 2050, and net-zero emissions by 2050.  

In comments, EDF argued that National Fuel’s long-term plan does not sufficiently reduce natural gas reliance and should be revised to include improved efficiency and beneficial electrification, implementation of non-pipeline alternatives and a targeted pipeline network retirement plan. 

“The Public Service Commission rightly found that the company’s 20-year plan fell short of New York’s climate goals and directed the utility to halt natural gas expansion programs and improve information transparency. But the regulators left important questions unresolved, such as the need for limits on deployment of biomethane and hydrogen. The PSC must do more to give utilities clear direction to plan for decarbonization.” 

—Erin Murphy, Senior Attorney, Energy Markets & Utility Regulation