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For Immediate Release: 7/17/2025 Rory M. Christian, Chair Contact:
James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080 25088 /23-G-0676 July 17, 2025
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Groundbreaking Process Continues to Advance Gas System Reliability and Planning Transparency During Clean Energy Transition |
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Commission Directs Central Hudson to Take Additional Action to Reduce Natural Gas Demand, Advancing Goals to Maintain Gas System Reliability and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today directed Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation (Central Hudson) to take actions in the next three years within the context of the company's final long-term plan to reduce the consumption of natural gas in its service territory. Specifically, the Commission directed the company to develop and propose pilot demand response programs and pursue non-pipes alternatives for at least two locations in its service territory.
“The Commission’s natural gas planning procedures bring greater transparency to how our gas utilities provide safe, adequate, and reliable service while striving to meet the State’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets,” said Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. “This process is critical to ensuring reliability and affordability, while advancing State clean-energy policies to combat climate change.”
Gas utilities in New York State are required to make filings with proposed long-term plans every three years. The filings must include at least one scenario that considers the feasibility of no new traditional gas infrastructure and quantify the impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Each filing begins a stakeholder engagement process aimed at developing a long-term plan based on strong planning analytics, input from stakeholders, and evaluation by independent experts. Utilities are also required to provide annual updates to their long-term plans.
The development of Central Hudson’s long-term gas plan included reviewing more than 300 public comments that were received, along with multiple stakeholder technical conferences. Headquartered in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, Central Hudson serves approximately 315,000 electric and 90,000 natural gas customers in eight counties of New York State’s Mid-Hudson River Valley.
The Commission engaged PA Consulting to assist in staff's review. Staff considered the reports of PA Consulting as well as the input of stakeholders. The Commission adopted the Department of Public Service staff’s recommendations for additional demand response program offerings to large customers and to pursue additional non-pipe alternatives. The Commission also adopted staff’s recommendations that in its next long-term plan, that Central Hudson utilizes an optimization model when developing scenarios, modify its benefit cost analysis, and explain the coordination of its modelling tools.
The Commission has already reviewed and acted on long-term natural gas plans for other utilities in New York, including New York State Electric & Gas Corporation, Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. and National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation.
New York State's Climate Agenda
New York State's climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 35 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors.
Today’s decision 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 23-G-0676 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.
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