Southern Tier Gas Company also Directed to Improve its Modeling and Forecasting Methods

ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today directed Corning Natural Gas Corporation (Corning) to begin to provide additional information about renewable natural gas purchases. The company must also improve its modeling and forecasting methods overall over the next five years within the context of the company's final long-term gas plan.

“Staff’s analysis identified a need for the company to provide additional information and reports on renewable natural gas purchases, modeling of distribution pressures and gas quality, differentiated natural gas purchases, demand forecasting accuracy, and coordination with the local electric utility on non-pipes alternatives,” said Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. “The gas planning procedures we have adopted will ensure that gas utilities continue to provide safe, adequate, and reliable service while striving to meet the state’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.”

Given the relatively small size of the utility, the Commission directed these actions for Corning within the next five years. Further, in the company's next long-term plan filing, staff recommends that the company use an appropriate gas price forecast in its benefit-cost analysis. Corning operates nearly 450 miles of pipeline to transport natural gas to approximately 15,000 customers. Gas deliveries span 23 towns and villages, over 400 square miles, throughout the Southern Tier and central regions of New York State.

Further, the Commission directed the company to report on renewable natural gas purchases, modeling of distribution pressures and gas quality, differentiated natural gas purchases, demand forecasting accuracy, and coordination on non-pipes alternatives with the electric utility serving the same area.  The Commission also directed the company to include additional information in its periodic updates, all part of the Commission’s groundbreaking planning process to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the state’s natural gas delivery system.

Modernizing the gas planning procedures is important so that local gas distribution companies’ long-term plans are subjected to transparent review and ensure that they conform to state policies while ensuring that the gas utilities can continue to provide safe and adequate service. Pursuant to the Commission’s long-term planning proceeding, utilities are required to make filings with their proposed long-term plans.  Each filing begins a stakeholder engagement process, aimed at developing a consensus long-term plan. Utilities will also be required to provide annual updates to their long-term plans.

Today’s decisions 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 24-G-0629 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.