National Grid, an electricity and gas delivery company throughout New York, is replacing residential natural gas main services for over 70 homes in Bayville, New York — a project that started in July and will take three to four months.
The change is part of the larger Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline project, which aims to bring more natural gas to Long Island.
Here's what to know
According to Long Island Press, National Grid plans to replace more than 3,000 feet of gas main and upgrade service connections for over 70 Bayville residences.
National Grid says the project is meant to support what it describes as a safe and reliable gas system, and that residents are being updated through mailed notices in advance and direct alerts as work reaches each block.
But natural gas remains a fossil fuel, and expanding or reinforcing fossil fuel systems carries significant consequences.
The fossil fuel industry plays a major role in worsening extreme weather disasters that destroy homes, livelihoods, and local economies. It also contributes to air and water pollution linked to asthma, heart disease, cancer, and premature death, while keeping household energy bills high even as corporate profits climb.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
What's being done?
The changes are happening at a time when many climate and energy policy debates center on whether utilities should expand fossil fuel infrastructure or transition to more renewable options.
The NESE pipeline was also originally rejected by New York regulators in 2019, according to the New York Times, partly on environmental grounds.
The Bayville project seems more like a safety-maintenance issue, but its connection to NESE raises questions about whether governments and groups are expanding natural gas too far within New York state.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
