PSC Will Closely Monitor Natural Gas Supply Throughout the Winter Heating Season 

Discounts for Income-Eligible Customers Available

NEW YORK — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today announced that it expects the state’s utilities will have adequate supplies of natural gas and electricity on hand to meet the demands of residential and commercial customers in New York State.

“We are closely monitoring the utilities serving New York State to make sure they have adequate sources and supplies of electricity and natural gas to meet expected customer demands this winter,” said Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. “Further, the utilities have hedged approximately 70 percent of the estimated statewide full service electric residential energy needs and 51 percent of the estimated statewide gas customer needs to mitigate any market price swings this winter.”

The gas utilities serving New York State have adequate natural gas supply, delivery capacity, and storage inventory to satisfy current firm customer demands under severe winter design conditions for this winter. Gas utilities continue to file long-term gas system plans, as required by Commission orders. The Department of Public Service (Department) continues to review and analyze gas utilities’ long-term plans separate from the present annual winter preparedness review. Staff cautioned that reliability margins are tight in both the electric and natural gas sectors and investments will be needed to improve resilience and to address various contingencies.

Department staff expects that full-service residential electric commodity bills will be similar to last winter’s, on a statewide average. Based on current data indicating lower forecasted commodity prices, coupled with a normal weather forecast and increased delivery rates for several gas utilities for this winter, customer’s gas bills are expected to be higher than last year’s, on average.  Customers may see varying price levels based on their service territory, actual experienced weather, and individual usage.

Discounts through Commission-approved utility Energy Affordability Programs (EAP) are available to income-eligible households. Beginning in 2026, EAP eligibility will extend to all residential utility customers below median income.

The electric utilities continue to effectively reduce the electric supply price volatility of their full-service residential customers. Gas utilities continue to use financial hedges and gas held in storage to help protect against market price swings. However, customers are not completely shielded from global market price volatility.  Department outreach efforts will provide consumers with information on available resources, ways to mitigate energy costs, measures to reduce energy consumption, bill management options, and financial assistance programs. Staff is also working with the State's energy utilities to ensure they maintain strong communication with customers about the companies' winter preparedness efforts and energy affordability.

Customer Outreach: The Department has a proactive program in place to help customers receive the information and assistance they need. The outreach and education efforts include publications in multiple languages about billing and payment options, financial assistance programs and winter preparedness measures to help with winter bills, and the steps to take if customers are faced with heating-related energy emergencies.

Natural Gas and Electric Price Forecast: On a statewide average, a residential electric customer using 600 kWh per month is expected to pay about $60 per month for supply this winter, up 1.4 percent from the same period a year ago, but the actual amount varies by utility. Meanwhile, the average residential customer using 719 therms of natural gas can expect to pay an estimated $224 per month during the winter heating season (November through March), up 8 percent from the same period a year ago, but the actual amount will vary widely by region due to the weather and usage. A colder-than-normal winter will cause usage and bills to increase. The state’s investor-owned utilities take steps to reduce the volatility of electric and gas supply prices to their full-service residential customers.

Home Heating Assistance:  Department outreach efforts will provide consumers with information on available resources, ways to mitigate energy costs, measures to reduce energy consumption, bill management options, and financial assistance programs. The Department is also working with the state’s electric and gas utilities to ensure they maintain strong communication with customers about the utilities’ winter preparedness efforts.

New Yorkers can take advantage of cost-efficient programs in anticipation of the winter to adopt energy efficiency and electrification solutions for homes and businesses. Beginning November 1, applications will be accepted for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) which can provide more than $900 to eligible homeowners and renters depending on income, household size and how they heat their home. To qualify for heating assistance from HEAP, a family of four's annual income cannot exceed $80,165.

When income-eligible customers enroll in HEAP, they are automatically enrolled in utilities’ Commission-approved EAP discount programs that provide further monthly discounts on gas and electric utility bills.

Winter-Heating Preparedness: Department staff continues to track weather impacts, pipeline and storage assets, and interruptible customer compliance, and will also work with the utilities and communities to find innovative solutions that increase environmental benefits, while meeting customer expectations for their energy demands. This work includes the aggressive pursuit of efficiency measures, demand response and other solutions to meet growing space and water heating needs. The utilities serving New York State are finalizing contracting for adequate natural gas supply, delivery capacity and storage inventory to satisfy firm customer demands under peak winter conditions. The Department will also continue to closely monitor areas of the state where demand is growing at a faster pace.

The ongoing long-term gas planning proceeding is modernizing the planning process used by the gas utilities and require them to file long-term plans that include energy efficiency, demand response programs and other programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the state’s natural gas system and implement uniform moratoria procedures.  The new planning process allows for extensive stakeholder input.  Department staff continues to coordinate with oil industry representatives and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to ensure that customers have access to adequate supplies of winter heating fuels. In keeping with the Commission’s reliability requirements, natural gas companies are auditing systems, processes, and procedures, as well as scheduling tests to ensure that interruptible customers comply with the Commission's alternate fuel requirements.

Electric-System Preparedness: Electric utilities continue to effectively reduce the electric supply price volatility of their full-service residential customers. As part of the winter assessment, Department staff contacted the major electric-generating facilities in Southeast New York, which own about 12,000 MW of dual fuel generation capability. Staff found that these facilities have increased pre-winter on-site fuel reserves, have firm contracts with fuel oil suppliers, conduct more aggressive replenishment plans, and have more proactive pre-winter maintenance and facilities preparations.

Home Heating Assistance:  Department outreach efforts will provide consumers with information on available resources, ways to mitigate energy costs, measures to reduce energy consumption, bill management options, and financial assistance programs. The Department is also working with the state’s electric and gas utilities to ensure they maintain strong communication with customers about the utilities’ winter preparedness efforts.

New Yorkers can take advantage of cost-efficient programs in anticipation of the winter to adopt energy efficiency and electrification solutions for homes and businesses. During the winter months, New Yorkers can take the following steps to mitigate energy costs:

Take immediate action to be more energy efficient. NYSERDA offers energy saving tips for residents and homeowners, as well as businesses that can lower energy usage. NYSERDA also offers a range of home energy efficiency programs that can help save energy and reduce costs over time. Income-eligible customers may qualify for reduced cost or free energy upgrades to their homes through EmPower New York and Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® programs.

Homeowners should also check with their local gas and electric utility companies to access discounted products and services that can help them lower their energy costs all year long. 

The New York Energy Advisor can help income-eligible New Yorkers locate programs that help them spend less on energy and create healthier and more comfortable spaces. With the New York Energy Advisor, consumers answer simple questions and get connected with energy-saving offers in New York State. Sponsored by NYSERDA and utilities, qualified New Yorkers can get help paying utility bills, receive special offers on heating assistance, and more.

Sign up for Community Solar. Community Solar allows New Yorkers, including renters, co-op and condo owners, and businesses to save money every month on their electric bills. Consumers can subscribe to a Community Solar project where available and start receiving credits on their electric bill for the clean energy produced by a solar array.

Get a free energy audit. Homeowners across New York State are eligible for a free home energy assessment through NYSERDA's Residential Energy Audit Program. Home energy assessments are available both in-person and using remote technologies. Trained and qualified contractors who provide energy assessment services can help homeowners decide which energy improvements are worth investing in, install the improvements, and assist in connecting homeowners with NYSERDA's low-interest financing programs.

Reduce your business or building's energy costs. Community Energy Advisors across New York State can help residents, businesses, and multifamily building owners reduce their energy use and costs.

Join a NYS Clean Heating and Cooling Campaign. Participating in a campaign eases the process of replacing a community member's current heating or cooling system with clean heating or cooling technology by connecting members with pre-qualified contractors and outlining potential incentives, tax breaks, financing, and payment options. Experienced contractors can give a home or business owner a holistic assessment to determine if their home or business space will also benefit from weatherproofing upgrades that can further increase comfort and reduce energy bills.

Know your rights and protections. The New York State Home Energy Fair Practices Act has comprehensive protections for residential customers regarding their utility services. These rights include the option to pay bills in installments, a cap on late fees, sufficient notice prior to shutoff of services, and protections for those on a fixed income or with medical conditions.

Consider bill payment options. When getting in touch with your utility provider, inquire about billing options that allow for deferred payments or "budget billing" options that balance out bills that are higher in one season and lower in another. This can structure your payments and make it easier to navigate costs.

Better understand the energy management of your building. NYSERDA’s Put Energy to Work provides a deeper understanding of tools and programs for businesses that help in energy management for commercial and industrial buildings and includes resources that can increase profitability, create a competitive advantage, and achieve greater resiliency.

Today’s review may be obtained by going to the Commission Documents section of the Commission’s Web site at www.dps.ny.gov and entering Case Number 25-M-0183 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number". Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission documents may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.