MERRICK, NY — Frigid temperatures return this weekend, and if you’re a National Grid customer in New York City or on Long Island, it’s going to be more expensive to heat with gas this winter.
This year the tool was delivered to inboxes what they call a “slight increase.” – An average of $33 more per month on Long Island – and that’s just the beginning.
In 2025, rates will increase by about $8 per month, and in 2026 they will increase by about $19 per month. Over the three years, that’s about $60 more per month, or $720 per year.
National Grid says this isn’t due to natural gas prices; the additional $500 million from Long Island customers is needed for renewable energy transmission infrastructure, replacement of aging gas lines, improved customer service and assistance for low- and moderate-income customers.
The increases were approved after public hearings. National Grid customers in New York City are also seeing similar rate increases.
Critics view interest rate increases as unaffordable and cite environmental problems
Merrick resident Lauren Krueger says the rate increases are difficult to manage.
‘My husband has been out of work for a year. I have two children. “I have an old house that is drafty,” she said.
“[Approximately] $400 this year, but by 2026 that will be almost $700 a year more than we are paying now… The scale of it is just unaffordable,” said George Povall, co-founder of All Our Energy.
Climate activists are protesting not only against the tariffs, but also against the revenues going back to gas, just as New York is ordered to phase it out.
“I would prefer to see us transition to offshore wind and other alternative energies to replace the fossil fuels that are being burned and leading to climate change,” said Rockville Center resident Randy Sorscher.
“We need Governor Hochul to show New York and the nation that we can fight the greedy fossil fuel companies that are driving up our energy bills and making record profits,” said Eric Weltman of the organization Food and Water Watch .
They want the governor’s budget to take that into account the New York HEAT Actwhich would relieve taxpayers of the cost of each new gas connection and place an income cap on energy bills.
A spokesperson for National Grid said:
“While we support the HEAT Act’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, this legislation as currently drafted does not achieve the net savings that proponents claim. The Public Service Commission is reviewing plans to address the future of gas distribution networks and the State Energy Planning Board is currently developing the State Energy Plan to update New York’s comprehensive roadmap to a clean, resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers. The legislature must allow these processes to play out before taking action against NY HEAT.
“National Grid is committed to building a stronger, smarter and cleaner energy system that meets New York’s important clean energy goals set forth in the CLCPA. We have spent billions of dollars on network improvements to enable the interconnection and transmission of renewable energy, and we are working to decarbonize our heating network and serve businesses and buildings that are difficult to electrify.”
Carolyn Gusoff
