Assemblyman William Colton (D – Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights) is outraged with the audacity of the National Grid in submitting an application to the New York State Public Service Commission for the gas delivery rate increase by more than 17.78%. This is not the time for home energy prices to go up in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. Last year National Grid, a foreign-owned corporation, had the boldness to refuse new gas service to thousands of homeowners and small businesses. Now amid the covid-19 health emergency is persistently pursuing this outrageous request.

"I sent my opposition comments to the New York State Public Service Commission against the gas service rate increase requested by the National Grid. First, much of its request is based upon its insistence on building a billion-dollar pipeline, the cost of which is intended to be passed on to its gas customers. An independent analysis of the National Grid’s “Long Term Capacity Report” by Synapse Energy Economics, a nationally known expert concluded there was no supply and demand gap to justify building this pipeline, which National Grid customers are being asked to pay the price. In addition, I do not believe National Grid’s analysis of long-term capacity options are compatible with New York’s climate change policies, which call for reduction - not expansion - of fossil-fuel use," Colton stated.

"Also, in light of the likely long term impacts of the covid-19 crisis on the economy and the finances of those ratepayers who use the services provided by National Grid, such a rate increase will have a significant negative impact on our economy and on the well being of our families and businesses in the territorial areas covered by the National Grid. Therefore, I believe that these applications proposed to rate increase will put a burden on the same residents and businesses which are already being ravaged by the covid-19 crisis. I call upon the New York State Public Service Commission to reject it as unneeded, as against state policies and as not proven by the documentary proof claim by National Grid in support of its application," Colton added.