Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) approved the expansion of the Iroquois natural gas pipeline despite it being “inconsistent” with the state’s greenhouse gas emission limits.
The move came as Con Edison proposed a 13% hike in gas rates for New York residents as it faces limits on the amount of natural gas it can pull from the pipeline.
“The natural gas system could fail under certain circumstances,” John Howard, a former commissioner of the state Public Service Commission, told the New York Post. “Safety and reliability can’t be compromised.”
The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation approved the expanded permits so Con Ed and National Grid can boost their gas capacity in New York City. A spokesperson called the expansion “essential.”
“As a condition of the permits, Iroquois will invest $5 million in mitigation efforts to address greenhouse gas emissions and make investments to reduce environmental burdens within disadvantaged communities, such as a heat pump program and EV charging stations,” the spokesperson told the outlet. “This investment is in addition to other measures Iroquois will implement to minimize emissions.”
The permit approval requires $3.5 million invested in a Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Fund for projects in Con Edison service areas. Hochul’s office said expansion of the Iroquois pipeline will not undermine the state’s goal of achieving 100% zero-carbon emission electricity by 2040.
“From signing the Climate Superfund Act to investing $1 billion in clean energy projects in this year’s budget, Governor Hochul has demonstrated a clear commitment to an affordable and reliable transition to a clean energy economy,” said spokesman Paul DeMichele. “Projects like this one are thoroughly evaluated to advance that goal while also ensuring the safety and reliability of our energy distribution systems.”
Con Edison said 63% of its electricity is generated from natural gas.
A report from the state Public Service Commission found that Con Edison and National Grid “were barely able to provide adequate supply” during the 2022 Winter Storm Elliott, emphasizing the need to expand and diversify the state’s gas supply resources.
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“Had the weather been colder, the utilities would likely have been unable to avoid thousands and potentially millions of gas outages,” the report said. “The Winter Storm Elliott event thus demonstrates the risks associated with over-reliance on CNG [compressed natural gas].”
In 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a report sharing how important it is for New York and other Northeast states to boost their gas energy infrastructure.