New York Governor Andrew Cuomo sent a letter to National Grid threatening to revoke the utility company’s certificate to supply natural gas downstate. It’s the latest in a feud that has caused havoc for ratepayers.
Since May, National Grid has refused to install new natural gas connections to thousands of businesses and homeowners. The company says it needs the state to approve a new pipeline in order to meet demand. The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation has said the pipeline will cause shellfish and water quality problems. Speaking to NY1 Tuesday morning, Cuomo said National Grid was extorting New Yorkers in order to get their pipeline.
“These utilities think they have a license granted by God. They don’t.”
Cuomo gave the company 14 days to explain what other alternatives exist to supply Brooklyn and Long Island with gas.
“If they can’t come up with a plan to provide future gas supplies, we’ll find another utility who can.”
Cuomo suggested that gas could be shipped or trucked to the region, though he didn’t indicate if that would be more costly. Environmentalists oppose the new pipeline, along with many elected officials.