Comptroller Stringer Calls on National Grid to Halt Expansion of Fossil Fuel Infrastructure and Instead Invest in Sustainable Energy Options
Letter calls on National Grid to comply with State and City climate goals reduce gas emissions, or risk public takeover of utility company
(New York, NY) — Yesterday, New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer sent a letter to National Grid, denouncing the utility’s plans to expand its network of fossil fuel infrastructure. Comptroller Stringer’s letter demanded that the utility move beyond a myopic focus on building out expensive and environmentally damaging natural gas infrastructure that will only exacerbate climate change and instead do more to invest in energy efficiency and an equitable transition to renewable energy and electrification. Unless National Grid can demonstrate good faith efforts to comply with existing climate goals, Comptroller Stringer stressed that the case for a publically owned and operated utility will become increasingly apparent. The Comptroller has previously called for a moratorium on all major gas infrastructure construction across the city.
“We can’t pretend we are making progress on combatting climate change if we continue to build out fossil fuel infrastructure that will lock in emissions for years to come. We don’t have time to move backwards — or invest in the fossil fuel infrastructure of yesterday,” said New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. “There is absolutely no reason for investing in natural gas today to just have to turn it off tomorrow to meet our emissions goals. I implore National Grid to get on the right side of history and provide New Yorkers with sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy options. If National Gird can’t think past their profits, then we need to seriously explore how a public takeover of the utility could allow us to make responsible, sustainable decisions about our energy future.”
In May 2019, Comptroller Stringer sent a letter to New York City’s other major utility, Con Edison, demanding the utility proactively invest in green energy and energy efficiency instead of doubling down on fossil fuel infrastructure.
In September 2018, Comptroller Stringer became the first citywide elected official to oppose the Williams pipeline by urging the State and Federal Government to deny permits for the pipeline’s construction.
To read Comptroller Stringer’s letter to National Grid, click here.
To read Comptroller Stringer’s May 2019 letter to Con Ed, click here.
To read Comptroller Stringer’s original statement rejecting the Williams Pipeline, click here.
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