The Road To New York -- February 1, 2019

I've lost the bubble but it's my understand that New York continues to ban fracking, and is making it difficult to bring natural gas in from Pennsylvania. 

Re-posting from an earlier note, from a reader. We've talked about this one before. I find it simply amazing, considering all the natural gas available in their area. This is from a reader:

New York Regulators to Analyze Downstate Natural Gas Shortages -

The New York Public Service Commission said this week it plans to analyze and report on the changing market conditions that prompted Consolidated Edison Co. (Con Ed) to impose a moratorium on new natural gas customers in Westchester County.

The PSC said it would develop recommendations to ensure utilities across the state are able to meet customer needs in a way that is consistent with Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s aggressive energy conservation goals.

“Specifically, staff will analyze short-term and long-term market conditions, along with the capacity of natural gas infrastructure and alternatives, and their role in aiding the transition to a clean energy economy,” the commission stated.

Con Ed said this month that it could no longer accept applications for new natural gas service in Westchester County as demand is quickly outpacing pipeline-constrained supply.

The utility warned that the moratorium would remain in effect until sufficient supply is available to meet the region’s needs.The report and recommendations are to be submitted to the PSC and State Energy Planning Board by July 1 for review and assessment of policies, programs and regulations to ensure reliable energy is available for customers and economic growth, while also aiding the state’s renewable energy goals.

Those steps, the commission added, would aid broader efforts to help lower gas demand. Con Ed said it “made every effort” to explore alternatives, including solutions to cut gas use and employ compressed or renewable gas.

However, the utility said those alternatives aren’t enough to meet demand. National Grid has also warned of a similar supply squeeze on Long Island if Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co.’s Northeast Supply Enhancement Project is not approved. That project has already had difficulties with state regulators during the application process for a water quality certification, which has slowed it down.

So many stories and observations.

The item that caught my attention was this. Supposedly this is a news article. Why would the writer have to note that the governor is is a Democrat?

The really big question is why there is this sudden demand for natural gas energy in Westchester County? What happened? My hunch is that it has to do with state policy, nothing to do with the utility.

And, then of course, the last sentence in the story:  That project has already had difficulties with state regulators during the application process for a water quality certification, which has slowed it down.

Why does that not surprise me.