APGA Urges US Cities and Towns Not to Follow New York City’s Mistake
The American Public Gas Association (APGA), representing more than 700 municipally and publicly owned natural gas systems in 38 states, issued a statement in response to the New York City Council’s passage of a measure to eliminate the installation of natural gas hookups in new buildings.
APGA is saddened and disappointed by the New York City Council’s decision to eliminate the direct use of natural gas in newly constructed homes and buildings. Policies like this one, which aim to move communities to an all-electric, single-source model, are flawed and will only hurt the over 2 million customers in the city who rely on affordable natural gas to heat their homes, run their appliances and cook their food year-round.
As APGA has expressed in the past, the impact of such policies on emissions is negligible, if not negative. Currently, natural gas accounts for 54% of the electricity generated in New York state, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and 98% of the electricity generated within New York’s city limits. This means that shifting to electric appliances for heating and cooking does not eliminate the city’s use of natural gas.
Rather, the Council’s actions shift New Yorkers’ natural gas usage upstream to power an already-overburdened electric grid. Given that the direct use of natural gas in home appliances is 92% efficient from source to site — compared to just 37% when gas is used to generate electricity and run those same appliances — the Council’s decision simply pushes natural gas ‘out of sight, out of mind’ while raising costs and reducing efficiency.
To make meaningful progress toward a sustainable energy future, policymakers in New York City and beyond should consider a balanced approach that combines renewable energy sources like solar and wind alongside the city’s reliable and resilient natural gas infrastructure. This comprehensive approach would ensure New York City has access to clean, cost effective, reliable and efficient energy solutions without sacrificing consumer choice or adding burdensome costs.
Related News
Related News
- Keystone Oil Pipeline Resumes Operations After Temporary Shutdown
- Freeport LNG Plant Runs Near Zero Consumption for Fifth Day
- Biden Administration Buys Oil for Emergency Reserve Above Target Price
- Mexico Seizes Air Liquide's Hydrogen Plant at Pemex Refinery
- Enbridge to Invest $500 Million in Pipeline Assets, Including Expansion of 850-Mile Gray Oak Pipeline
- Enbridge Receives Approval to Begin Service on Louisiana Venice Gas Pipeline Project
- U.S. to Acquire 3 Million Barrels of Oil for Emergency Reserve in September
- AG&P LNG Acquires 49% Stake in Vietnam's Cai Mep LNG Terminal
- BP's Carbon Emissions Increase in 2023, Ending Decline Since 2019
- Texas Sues EPA Over Methane Emission Rules for Oil and Gas Sector
Comments