An Arctic cold snap increased heating demand across New York, pushing natural gas usage above typical levels and resulting in some of the highest delivery days reported in recent years. National Grid said Long Island and the Rockaway Peninsula set an all-time gas delivery record last Saturday, while other downstate regions neared their own peak levels during the same period. The increase also coincided with higher wholesale gas prices, which may affect winter heating costs for households.
Record Deliveries From Nassau To the Rockaways
In a recent press release, National Grid reported delivering more than 1,196,680 dekatherms of natural gas to Long Island and the Rockaway Peninsula on Feb. 7, topping a record that had been set only days before. The company says eight of its ten highest gas-output days ever recorded in that region all landed between Jan. 23 and Feb. 7, a run that shows just how relentless the cold was. Even with that crush of demand, National Grid says its system held up under the strain and credited field and operations crews for keeping the heat flowing.
Con Edison Nears Its Own Records As Bills Climb
Consolidated Edison logged its third-highest day of gas distribution on Feb. 7, as the extended cold snap boosted both home heating needs and fuel burned at power plants. Company officials cautioned that customers should expect noticeably higher bills as a result. As reported by Gothamist, Con Ed spokesperson Jamie McShane linked the surge to a mix of stubbornly low temperatures and rising wholesale fuel prices that drove overall energy use up.
Earlier this year, the New York State Public Service Commission approved a multi-year rate plan for Con Edison that the commission says includes affordability protections while adjusting the delivery charges that show up on customer bills. The PSC said the deal also backs efficiency programs and sets out extra protections for households that are most financially vulnerable.
Why The System Felt The Squeeze
Natural gas already carries a big load in New York’s energy mix. Federal Energy Information Administration data indicate that in recent years, gas has supplied roughly half of the state’s electricity generation, so a frigid spell ramps up stress on both pipelines and power plants at the same time. EIA data, together with federal emissions analyses, also show that direct gas use in homes for heating, hot water, and cooking racks up thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide per household each year, turning fuel choices into both a climate and a cost equation.
EPA tools illustrate how that usage translates into emissions, putting household gas consumption in perspective next to other everyday activities.
How To Take A Little Sting Out Of Your Bill
Utilities and federal agencies say small habit changes can trim gas usage without leaving anyone shivering. Con Edison has urged customers to keep vents and radiators clear and to make the most of free heat from south-facing windows by opening curtains during the day. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests setting thermostats to around 68°F when people are home and dialing them back by about 7 to 10°F for eight-hour stretches, a routine it says can cut heating costs by roughly up to 10 percent. Gothamist highlighted those basic steps in its coverage of the cold snap…