What's New at NGA?

Upcoming Workshops & NGA Events
For information on all NGA events please visit our website: 2024 events overview:
https://www.northeastgas.org/pdf/2024_events_overview.pdf

  • Sign up today! NGA's Spring Operations Conference is April 4-5
  • Register for the 2024 Gas Operations School June 4-7! Check out the Course Guide:
    https://www.northeastgas.org/pdf/2024_gasops_curriculum.pdf
  • Registration is open for the Spring Dates for LNG/LP Safety School:
    https://www.northeastgas.org/tql-lng-safety.php
  • Upcoming NGA Committee Meetings/Workshops
    • Gas Quality & Interchangeability-March 14 & 15, Virtual
    • Spotlight Session-Sanders Resources/BUXUS-March 19, Virtual
    • Contractor Workshop-April 3, Saratoga Springs, NY

New York City Issues a Building Code Mandate for the Installation of Fuel Gas Alarms in Residential Dwellings based on NFPA® 715
On February 12, 2024, New York City became the first major urban jurisdiction to issue a building code mandate for the installation of natural gas alarms in residences based on NFPA® 715, the Standards for the Installation of Fuel Gases Detection and Warning Equipment with some modifications. The mandate requires installations of the alarms by May 1, 2025.
Following the East Harlem incident of March 12, 2014, New York City issued a series of Local Laws aimed at providing additional layers of protection for buildings with gas service, including enhanced public awareness programs for building owners, mandated interior gas piping safety inspections by Licensed Master Plumbers (LMP's), significant enhancements to training and qualification requirements, and a requirement for installation of natural gas alarms in residential buildings. Local Law 157 of 2016 amended the New York City Housing Maintenance Code and the New York City Building Code to require the installation of natural gas detecting devices in residential buildings. It also required the Department of Buildings to promulgate a rule regarding the installation and location of natural gas alarms after industry standards are developed to address installation requirements. In parallel, NGA and Con Edison actively participated in the development of the National Fire Protection Association ("NFPA") Standard 715, which addresses device and location placement requirements. NFPA Standard 715 went into effect April 9, 2022, and coupled with the New York City Department of Buildings Rule Section 908-02, clarifies the installation and location requirements of the standard applicable to Local Law 157. While these installation requirements amend some provisions of NFPA 715 based on comments received in a Public hearing, which NGA participated in on behalf of membership.
In response to comments received, language was added to address placement of alarms that does not allow for installation of an alarm at least 3 feet from a fuel-gas-burning appliance. Also, the list of people who can install alarms powered by batteries or by plugging in was expanded to allow someone other than a building owner, maintenance personnel or tenant, such as LMP's, to install those kinds of alarms.
The Department of Buildings' authority for these rules is found in sections 643 and 1043 of the New York City Charter. A copy of the Department of Building Rules for Installation of Fuel Gas Alarms can be found here.

NGA Files Comments With IRS on 45V Hydrogen Tax Credit
On Monday, February 26, NGA filed comments with the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service on proposed regulations to implement the 45V Credit for the production of clean Hydrogen. You can view the comments here.

NGA Files Comments with Massachusetts DEP on Greenhouse Gas Reporting Amendments 310 CMR 7.71
On Friday, February 23, NGA filed comments with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, on behalf of the Massachusetts' Municipal Gas System Operators, in regards to Mass DEP's proposed amendments to 310 CMR 7.71: Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and and 310 CMR 7.75 Clean Energy Standard. You can find the comments here.

NGA Updates First Responder Natural Gas Safety Course
NGA's top priority is helping keep our members and their communities safe. That is why NGA recently completed upgrades to our Natural Gas Safety Course platform. This program provides critical safety training and education for first responders throughout the northeast. You can find the updates through https://ngafirstresponder.com/.

The upgrades include:

  • Elevated member-specific Brand Alignment throughout the platform as well as emails and certificates.
  • Improved outreach and communications.
  • Enhanced user experience.
  • Improved reporting for members.

NGA Responds to FERC/NERC Joint Statement on the Necessity of Everett Marine Terminal
On November 6, FERC Chairman Willie L. Phillips and NERC CEO James B. Robb released a joint statement expressing concern about the potential loss of the Everett Marine Terminal, and the consequences that might have on the region's energy supplies. We commend the FERC and NERC for their continued focus on electric reliability and affordability in the New England power market.
As a trade association representing natural gas utilities (LDCs), interstate pipeline companies, liquefied natural gas (LNG) providers, and others, our position is that Everett Facility remains a highly valuable resource. The region is highly dependent on natural gas for both home heating and electric power generation and this increasingly interrelated nature of the electric and gas systems is particularly apparent during the high-demand winter periods. To best ensure energy security for the region, Everett should be maintained, until a time when it may be clear that the supply, balancing flexibility, and reliability role of Everett has been firmly supplanted by an installed alternative resource.
You can find the joint FERC/NERC statement here:
https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/news/joint-statement-ferc-nerc-reliability. For a more detailed perspective please refer to NGA's comments to the FERC from August:
https://www.northeastgas.org/pdf/nga_comments_82523.pdf

Important Safety Tips
It's important to be safe all year regarding natural gas.

NGA has a webpage summarizing safety tips and research areas:

https://www.northeastgas.org/nat_gas_system_safety.php

If you smell gas in your home or building, please leave the location immediately, move to a safe location and call 911, or call your local gas company.

More information can be found here:
https://www.northeastgas.org/leak_recognition.php#suspect

Investing in a natural gas detector is an investment for life and essential for any building using natural gas.

More information can be found here:

https://www.northeastgas.org/fuel_detector.php

Finally, be aware of carbon monoxide risks. More information can be found here:
https://www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm

U.S. EIA Releases "Winter Fuels Outlook"; Lower Energy Prices Projected; Natural Gas Projected to be Lowest Cost Heating Source for U.S. and Northeast Region
On October 11, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its latest "Short-Term Energy Outlook" and annual "Winter Fuels Outlook." Among the observations:

  • "We forecast lower average natural gas bills for U.S. consumers that heat their homes primarily with natural gas this winter heating season (November 1 to March 31) compared with last winter. The lower residential winter natural gas expenditures we forecast in the 2023 Winter Fuels Outlook supplement to our October Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) are due, mainly, to lower natural gas prices. The wholesale U.S. natural gas spot price at the national benchmark Henry Hub started last winter heating season averaging $5.66 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) in November. This November, we expect the Henry Hub price to be 45% lower than last year, averaging $3.12/Mcf."

EIA also noted in October 2023, in its annual "Winter Fuels Outlook", that natural gas would be the lowest cost home heating energy source in the Northeast for the 2023/24 winter (see Table WFO1 released by EIA):

https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/steo/xls/wf01.xlsx

Look for more information online here:
https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/steo/

Natural Gas Represents Majority of Northeast Home Heating Market, according to Latest Annual Census Data
On September 14, the U.S. Census Bureau released its latest American Community Survey with data for 2022. The survey includes data on home heating fuels by state. The 2022 data indicates that natural gas represents 54% (53.8%) of the total home heating market in the nine Northeast states.
The natural gas share of home heating by Northeast states is as follows:
CT, 36%; ME, 8%; MA, 52%; NH, 22%; NJ, 73%; NY, 58%; PA, 51%; RI, 54%; and VT, 18%.
The Census data can be found online here:
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/news/data-releases.html