Con Edison seeking alternatives to new natural gas pipelines
Con Edison issued Monday a Request for Proposals (RFP) for alternatives to new natural gas pipelines consistent with New York City’s and New York State’s environmental goals to meet growing energy demand in its service territory.
The company said it would invest at least $100 million annually in a bid on measures such as demand reduction and local gas supply enhancements to avoid constructing a major new gas pipeline.
The demand reduction measures may include energy efficiency, demand response and electrification of space and water heating. Local gas supply enhancement may include natural gas storage and biogas technology.
“We have seen significant growth in customers choosing natural gas to heat their homes, and thousands of oil to gas conversions in recent years have helped to clean the air for all New Yorkers,” Matthew Ketschke, senior vice president of Customer Energy Solutions for Con Edison, said. “We also acknowledge everyone’s desire to limit the use of fossil fuels as much as possible and continue our region’s environmental progress.”
Peak demand for natural gas has grown 30 percent since 2011 in the company’s service areas, and Con Edison expects it to increase another 20 percent over the next 20 years.
