State Offers $250M to Reduce Demand for Natural Gas [Yonkers Times]

New York State responded to Con Edison’s natural gas moratorium that went into effect March 15 by funneling $250 million in Green Energy Grants to Westchester County, which will help ease the demand on natural gas but provides no help in increasing the supply to Westchester County – which is now in the unfortunate situation of not having a natural gas energy supply available to anyone who wants to build a new home, new school, new apartment building or new commercial structures.

The expedited, new state green grant program is run through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the New York Power Authority. Called the Westchester Clean Energy Action Plan, the hope is it will “provide immediate relief to Westchester County businesses and residents affected by the Con Edison announcement that it will put new applications for firm natural gas service on a waiting list beginning March 15.”

The action taken today by NYSERDA, DPS and NYPA sends a strong message that protecting the environmental and economic security of Westchester County and our residents is a priority for New York State. I look forward to working with our government partners at all levels to reduce the energy burden for our hard-working families," said State Senator Shelley Mayer.